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things did this man leave in writing； as God had showed them to
him； insomuch that such as read his prophecies； and see how they
have been fulfilled； would wonder at the honor wherewith God
honored Daniel； and may thence discover how the Epicureans are in
an error； who cast Providence out of human life； and do not
believe that God takes care of the affairs of the world； nor that
the universe is governed and continued in being by that blessed
and immortal nature； but say that the world is carried along of
its own accord； without a ruler and a curator； which； were it
destitute of a guide to conduct it； as they imagine； it would be
like ships without pilots； which we see drowned by the winds； or
like chariots without drivers； which are overturned； so would the
world be dashed to pieces by its being carried without a
Providence； and so perish； and come to nought。 So that； by the
forementioned predictions of Daniel； those men seem to me very
much to err from the truth； who determine that God exercises no
providence over human affairs； for if that were the case； that
the world went on by mechanical necessity； we should not see that
all things would come to pass according to his prophecy。 Now as
to myself； I have so described these matters as I have found them
and read them； but if any one is inclined to another opinion
about them； let him enjoy his different sentiments without any
blame from me。
BOOK XI。
Containing The Interval Of Two Hundred And Fifty…Three Years And
Five Months。
From The First Of Cyrus To The Death Of Alexander The Great。
CHAPTER 1。
How Cyrus； King Of The Persians； Delivered The Jews Out Of
Babylon And Suffered Them To Return To Their Own Country And To
Build Their Temple； For Which Work He Gave Them Money。
1。 In the first year of the reign of Cyrus （1） which was the
seventieth from the day that our people were removed out of their
own land into Babylon； God commiserated the captivity and
calamity of these poor people； according as he had foretold to
them by Jeremiah the prophet； before the destruction of the city；
that after they had served Nebuchadnezzar and his posterity； and
after they had undergone that servitude seventy years； he would
restore them again to the land of their fathers； and they should
build their temple； and enjoy their ancient prosperity。 And these
things God did afford them； for he stirred up the mind of Cyrus；
and made him write this throughout all Asia： 〃Thus saith Cyrus
the king： Since God Almighty hath appointed me to be king of the
habitable earth； I believe that he is that God which the nation
of the Israelites worship； for indeed he foretold my name by the
prophets； and that I should build him a house at Jerusalem； in
the country of Judea。〃
2。 This was known to Cyrus by his reading the book which Isaiah
left behind him of his prophecies； for this prophet said that God
had spoken thus to him in a secret vision： 〃My will is； that
Cyrus； whom I have appointed to be king over many and great
nations； send back my people to their own land； and build my
temple。〃 This was foretold by Isaiah one hundred and forty years
before the temple was demolished。 Accordingly； when Cyrus read
this； and admired the Divine power； an earnest desire and
ambition seized upon him to fulfill what was so written； so he
called for the most eminent Jews that were in Babylon； and said
to them； that he gave them leave to go back to their own country；
and to rebuild their city Jerusalem； （2） and the temple of God；
for that he would be their assistant； and that he would write to
the rulers and governors that were in the neighborhood of their
country of Judea； that they should contribute to them gold and
silver for the building of the temple； and besides that； beasts
for their sacrifices。
3。 When Cyrus had said this to the Israelites； the rulers of the
two tribes of Judah and Benjamin； with the Levites and priests；
went in haste to Jerusalem； yet did many of them stay at Babylon；
as not willing to leave their possessions； and when they were
come thither； all the king's friends assisted them； and brought
in； for the building of the temple； some gold； and some silver；
and some a great many cattle and horses。 So they performed their
vows to God； and offered the sacrifices that had been accustomed
of old time； I mean this upon the rebuilding of their city； and
the revival of the ancient practices relating to their worship。
Cyrus also sent back to them the vessels of God which king
Nebuchadnezzar had pillaged out of the temple； and had carried to
Babylon。 So he committed these things to Mithridates； the
treasurer； to be sent away； with an order to give them to
Sanabassar； that he might keep them till the temple was built；
and when it was finished； he might deliver them to the priests
and rulers of the multitude； in order to their being restored to
the temple。 Cyrus also sent an epistle to the governors that were
in Syria； the contents whereof here follow：
〃King Cyrus To Sisinnes And Sathrabuzanes Sendeth Greeting。
〃I have given leave to as many of the Jews that dwell in my
country as please to return to their own country； and to rebuild
their city； and to build the temple of God at Jerusalem on the
same place where it was before。 I have also sent my treasurer
Mithridates； and Zorobabel； the governor of the Jews； that they
may lay the foundations of the temple； and may build it sixty
cubits high； and of the same latitude； making three edifices of
polished stones； and one of the wood of the country； and the same
order extends to the altar whereon they offer sacrifices to God。
I require also that the expenses for these things may be given
out of my revenues。 Moreover； I have also sent the vessels which
king Nebuchadnezzar pillaged out of the temple； and have given
them to Mithridates the treasurer； and to Zorobabel the governor
of the Jews； that they may have them carried to Jerusalem； and
may restore them to the temple of God。 Now their number is as
follows： Fifty chargers of gold； and five hundred of silver；
forty Thericlean cups of gold； and five hundred of silver； fifty
basons of gold； and five hundred of silver； thirty vessels for
pouring ＇the drink…offerings＇； and three hundred of silver；
thirty vials of gold； and two thousand four hundred of silver；
with a thousand other large vessels。 （3） I permit them to have
the same honor which they were used to have from their
forefathers； as also for their small cattle； and for wine and
oil； two hundred and five thousand and five hundred drachme； and
for wheat flour； twenty thousand and five hundred artabae； and I
give order that these expenses shall be given them out of the
tributes due from Samaria。 The priests shall also offer these
sacrifices according to the laws of Moses in Jerusalem； and when
they offer them； they shall pray to God for the preservation of
the king and of his family； that the kingdom of Persia may
continue。 But my will is； that those who disobey these
injunctions； and make them void； shall be hung upon a cross； and
their substance brought into the king's treasury。〃 And such was
the import of this epistle。 Now the number of those