human
I rejoice to behold you once more, Belteshazzar, exclaimed the king to the former of the two men.
gpt
Since the death of my father you have not been seen at my gate.
human
The favor of the king rejoices his servant! If it seem good unto thee, to cause the sun of thy favor to shine on me, thine unworthy servant, so hearken unto my petition for my nation, which thy great father caused to return unto the land of their fathers' sepulchres. This old man at my side, Joshua, the high- priest of our God, hath not feared the long journey to Babylon, that he might bring his request before thy face. Let his speech be pleasing in thine ears and his words bring forth fruit in thine heart.
gpt
I foresee what ye desire of me, cried the king.
human
Am I wrong, priest, in supposing that your petition refers to the building of the temple in your native land?
gpt
Nothing can be hidden from the eyes of my lord, answered the priest, bowing low.
human
Thy servants in Jerusalem desire to behold the face of their ruler, and beseech thee by my mouth to visit the land of their fathers, and to grant them permission to set forward the work of the temple, concerning which thine illustrious father (the favor of our God rest upon him), made a decree.
gpt
You have the craft of your nation, and understand how to choose the right time and words for your petition. On my birthday it is difficult for me to refuse my faithful people even one request. I promise you, therefore, so soon as possible to visit Jerusalem and the land of your fathers.
human
By so doing thou wilt make glad the hearts of thy servants, answered the priest;
gpt
Enough, priest, enough! cried Cambyses.
human
Your first petition, I have said it, shall not remain unfulfilled; for I have long desired to visit the wealthy city of Tyre, the golden Sidon, and Jerusalem with its strange superstitions; but were I to give permission for the building now, what would remain for me to grant you in the coming year?
gpt
Thy servants will no more molest thee by their petitions, if thou grant unto them this one, to finish the temple of the Lord their God,
human
Strange beings, these men of Palestine! exclaimed Cambyses.
gpt
I have heard it said that ye believe in one God alone, who can be represented by no likeness, and is a spirit. Think ye then that this omnipresent Being requires a house? Verily, your great spirit can be but a weak and miserable creature, if he need a covering from the wind and rain, and a shelter from the heat which he himself has created. If your God be like ours, omnipresent, fall down before him and worship as we do, in every place, and feel certain that everywhere ye will be heard of him!
human
The God of Israel hears his people in every place, exclaimed the high- priest.
gpt
He heard us when we pined in captivity under the Pharaohs far from our land; he heard us weeping by the rivers of Babylon. He chose thy father to be the instrument of our deliverance, and will hear my prayer this day and soften thine heart like wise. 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.
human
Grant unto my brethren the permission to build their temple!