Darius Was Well Disposed To The Jews;
As Also Concerning Esdras And Nehemiah.

1. Upon the death of Darius, Xerxes his son took the kingdom, who, as he
inherited his father's kingdom, so did he inherit his piety towards God,
and honor of him; for he did all things suitably to his father relating
to Divine worship, and he was exceeding friendly to the Jews. Now about
this time a son of Jeshua, whose name was Joacim, was the high priest.
Moreover, there was now in Babylon a righteous man, and one that enjoyed
a great reputation among the multitude. He was the principal priest of
the people, and his name was Esdras. He was very skillful in the laws of
Moses, and was well acquainted with king Xerxes. He had determined to
go up to Jerusalem, and to take with him some of those Jews that were in
Babylon; and he desired that the king would give him an epistle to the
governors of Syria, by which they might know who he was. Accordingly,
the king wrote the following epistle to those governors: "Xerxes, king
of kings, to Esdras the priest, and reader of the Divine law, greeting.
I think it agreeable to that love which I bear to mankind, to permit
those of the Jewish nation that are so disposed, as well as those of
the priests and Levites that are in our kingdom, to go together to
Jerusalem. Accordingly, I have given command for that purpose; and let
every one that hath a mind go, according as it hath seemed good to me,
and to my seven counselors, and this in order to their review of the
affairs of Judea, to see whether they be agreeable to the law of God.
Let them also take with them those presents which I and my friends have
vowed, with all that silver and gold that is found in the country of
the Babylonians, as dedicated to God, and let all this be carried to
Jerusalem to God for sacrifices. Let it also be lawful for thee and thy
brethren to make as many vessels of silver and gold as thou pleasest.
Thou shalt also dedicate those holy vessels which have been given
thee, and as many more as thou hast a mind to make, and shall take the
expenses out of the king's treasury. I have, moreover, written to the
treasurers of Syria and Phoenicia, that they take care of those affairs
that Esdras the priest, and reader of the laws of God, is sent about.
And that God may not be at all angry with me, or with my children, I
grant all that is necessary for sacrifices to God, according to the
law, as far as a hundred cori of wheat. And I enjoin y