31 And they began to hold back those who were building. And the building of the temple in Jerusalem stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Chapter 3

1 And king Darius made a great feast to his subjects, and to his household, and to all the nobles of Media and Persia,

2 And to all the satraps, and captains, and captains of the countries subject to him, from India to Ethiopia, in a hundred and twenty-seven satrapies.

3 And they ate and drank, and when they were satisfied, they departed; and king Darius went to his bedchamber, and slept, and then awoke.

4 And the three young men of the bodyguard who were guarding the king's body said to one another,

5 Have each of us say one word about what is strongest? And whose word is wiser than another, King Darius will give him great gifts and a great reward.

6 And he shall be clothed with scarlet, and drink of golden vessels, and sleep on gold, and ride in a chariot with horses bridled with gold, and wear a linen bandage on his head, and a necklace around his neck,

7 And he shall sit second after Darius because of his wisdom, and shall be called a kinsman of Darius.

8 And straightway, having written every man his own word, they sealed it, and laid it under the head of king Darius, and said,

9 And when the king arises, they shall give him this scripture, and to whomsoever the king and the three nobles of Persia acknowledge that his word is wiser, he shall be given precedence, as it is written.

10 One wrote, "Wine is the mightiest of all."

11 Another wrote, "The king is stronger."

12 A third wrote, "Stronger than a woman, but the truth triumphs over everything."