O mighty king, grant unto thy servants a common place of sacrifice, whither our twelve tribes may repair, an altar on the steps of which they can pray together, a house in which to keep their holy feasts! For this permission we will call down the blessing of God upon thine head and his curse upon thine enemies." "Grant unto my brethren the permission to build their temple!" added Belteshazzar, who was the richest and most honorable and respected of the Jews yet remaining in Babylon; a man whom Cyrus had treated with much consideration, and of whom he had even taken counsel from time to time.
"Will ye then be peaceable, if I grant your petition ?" asked the king.
"My father allowed you to begin the work and granted the means for its completion.

Of one mind, happy and content, ye returned to your native land, but while pursuing your work strife and contention entered among you.

Cyrus was assailed by repeated letters, signed by the chief men of Syria, entreating him to forbid the work, and I also have been lately besought to do the same.

Worship your God when and where ye will, but just because I desire your welfare, I cannot consent to the prosecution of a work which kindles discord among you." "And is it then thy pleasure on this day to take back a favor, which thy father made sure unto us by a written decree ?" asked Belteshazzar.
"A written decree ?" "Which will surely be found even to this day laid up in the archives of thy kingdom." "Find this decree and show it me, and I will not only allow the building to be continued, but will promote the same," answered the king; "for my father's will is as sacred to me as the commands of the gods." "Wilt thou allow search to be made in the house of the rolls at Ecbatana ?" asked Belteshazzar.

"The decree will surely be found there." "I consent, but I fear ye will find none.