⁶ “So give orders that cedars^(A) of Lebanon be cut for me. My men will work with yours, and I will pay you for your men whatever wages you set. You know that we have no one so skilled in felling timber as the Sidonians.”

⁹ My men will haul them down from Lebanon to the Mediterranean Sea^(A), and I will float them as rafts by sea to the place you specify. There I will separate them and you can take them away. And you are to grant my wish by providing food^(B) for my royal household.”

⁸ “Send me also cedar, juniper and algum^[a] logs from Lebanon, for I know that your servants are skilled in cutting timber there. My servants will work with yours

⁹ to provide me with plenty of lumber, because the temple I build must be large and magnificent.

¹⁶ and we will cut all the logs from Lebanon that you need and will float them as rafts by sea down to Joppa.^(A) You can then take them up to Jerusalem.”