Ezra

5 Then were moved to prophesy Haggai the prophet and Zechariah son of Iddo, the prophets, unto the Jews who were in Judaea and in Jerusalem,—in the name of the God of Israel unto them.

2 Then arose—Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which was in Jerusalem,—and with them were the prophets of God strengthening them.

3 At that time came unto them Tattenai pasha Beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai and their associates,—and thus spake they unto them, Who hath issued unto you an edict this house to build, and this wall to complete?

4 Then after this manner spake we unto them,—What are the names of these men, who this building do rear?

5 Nevertheless the eye of their God was upon the elders of Judah, and they did not forbid them, until the matter unto Darius should come,—and then answer be returned by letter concerning this.

6 A copy of the letter which Tattenai pasha Beyond the River, and Shethar-bozenai, and his associates, the Apharsachites, who were Beyond the River, sent unto Darius the king:

7 a message sent they unto him,—and thus was it written therein, Unto Darius the king all prosperity!

8 Be it known unto the king that we journeyed into the province of Judah, unto the house of the Great God, and the same is being built with large stones, and timber is being laid in the walls,—and this work with speed is being done and is prospering in their hands.

9 Then asked we of these elders, thus we said to them,—Who hath issued to you an edict this house to build, and this wall to complete?

10 Yea their names also asked we of them, to certify thee,—that we might write the name of the men who are at their head.

11 And thus returned they answer to us saying,—We are servants of the God of the heavens and the earth, and are building the house which was built these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed.

12 But after that our fathers had provoked the God of the heavens to wrath he delivered them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean,—and this house he destroyed, and the people he exiled to Babylon.

13 Howbeit in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon Cyrus the king issued an edict this house of God to build.

14 Moreover also the utensils of the house of God of gold and silver, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of the temple which was in Jerusalem, and had brought into the temple of Babylon Cyrus the king brought them forth out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one Sheshbazzar by name, whom he made pasha;

15 and said to him—These utensils take, go carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem,—and let the house of God be built in its place.

16 Then this Sheshbazzar came, he laid the foundations of the house of God, which was in Jerusalem,—and since then even until now it hath been in building, and is not finished.

17 Now therefore if unto the king it seem good let search be made in the treasure-house of the king which is there in Babylon, whether it be so, that from Cyrus the king issued an edict, to build this house of God in Jerusalem,—and the pleasure of the king concerning this let him send unto us.