[1] Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo,
prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem; in the name of the
God of Israel [prophesied they] to them. [2] Then rose up Zerubbabel the
son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the
house of God which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God,
helping them. [3] At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor
beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and their companions, and said thus
to them, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this
wall? [4] Then we told them after this manner, what the names of the men
were who were making this building. [5] But the eye of their God was on the
elders of the Jews, and they did not make them cease, until the matter
should come to Darius, and then answer should be returned by letter
concerning it. [6] The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor
beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and his companions the
Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king; [7] they
sent a letter to him, in which was written thus: To Darius the king, all
peace. [8] Be it known to the king, that we went into the province of
Judah, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and
timber is laid in the walls; and this work goes on with diligence and
prospers in their hands. [9] Then asked we those elders, and said to them
thus, Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?
[10] We asked them their names also, to inform you that we might write the
names of the men who were at the head of them. [11] Thus they returned us
answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are
building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king
of Israel built and finished. [12] But after that our fathers had provoked
the God of heaven to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar
king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the
people away into Babylon. [13] But in the first year of Cyrus king of
Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree to build this house of God. [14] The
gold and silver vessels also of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took
out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought into the temple of
Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and
they were delivered to one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made
governor; [15] and he said to him, Take these vessels, go, put them in the
temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be built in its
place. [16] Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundations of the
house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now has
it been in building, and yet it is not completed. [17] Now therefore, if it
seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king`s
treasure-house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree
was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem; and let
the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
