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DECREE.
Cyrus, The King, to Sysina and Sarabasan.
Sendeth Greeting. Be it known unto you, that I have given
leave to all the Jews that are in my dominions, to return into
their own Country, and there to rebuild their Capital City, with
the Holy Temple at Jerusalem, in the same place where it stood
before. I have likewise sent my messenger, Mithridates and
Zerubbabel, the Governor of Judea, to superintend the building,
and to see it raised sixty cubits upward from the ground and as
many over ; the walls to be three rows of polished stones, and
one of the wood of the Country, together with an Altar for Sacri-
fices ;
and all this to be done at my charge.
It is my further pleasure that they receive entire to themselves,
all the profits and revenues that were formerly enjoyed by their
predecessors, and that they have an allowance paid them of
205,500 drachmas, in consideration of beasts for Sacrifices, wine
and oil ; and 2,500 measures of wheat, in lieu of fine flour, and
all this to be raised upon the tribute of Samaria ; that the priests
may offer up sacrifices according to the laws and ceremonies of
Moses, and pray daily for the King and the Royal family, and
for the welfare and happiness of the Persian Empire : and let no
man presume to do anything contrary to the tenor of this my
royal will and proclamation, upon pain of forfeiting life and
i state.
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Cyrus.