Now the prophets,{H5029} Haggai{H2292} the prophet,{H5029} and Zechariah{H2148} the son{H1247} of Iddo,{H5714} prophesied{H5013} unto{H5922} the Jews{H3062} that were in Judah{H3061} and Jerusalem;{H3390} in the name{H8036} of the God{H426} of Israel{H3479} [prophesied they] unto{H5922} them.

Then{H116} rose up{H6966} Zerubbabel{H2217} the son{H1247} of Shealtiel,{H7598} and Jeshua{H3443} the son{H1247} of Jozadak,{H3136} and began{H8271} to build{H1124} the house{H1005} of God{H426} which is at Jerusalem;{H3390} and with them{H5974} were the prophets{H5029} of God,{H426} helping{H5583} them.

At the same time{H2166} came{H858} to them Tattenai, the governor{H6347} beyond{H5675} the River,{H5103} and Shethar-bozenai,{H8370} and their companions,{H3675} and said{H560} thus{H3652} unto them,{H5922} Who{H4479} gave you a decree{H7761} to build{H1124} this{H1836} house,{H1005} and to finish{H3635} this{H1836} wall?{H846}

Then{H116} we told{H560} them after this manner,{H3660} what{H4479} the names{H8036} of the men{H1400} were{H581} that were making{H1124} this{H1836} building.{H1147}

But the eye{H5870} of their God{H426} was{H1934} upon{H5922} the elders{H7868} of the Jews,{H3062} and they did not{H3809} make{H989} them{H1994} cease,{H989} till{H5705} the matter{H2941} should come{H1946} to Darius,{H1868} and then{H116} answer{H8421} should be returned by letter{H5407} concerning{H5922} it.{H1836}

The copy{H6573} of the letter{H104} that Tattenai, the governor{H6347} beyond{H5675} the River,{H5103} and Shethar-bozenai,{H8370} and his companions{H3675} the Apharsachites,{H671} who were beyond{H5675} the River,{H5103} sent{H7972} unto{H5922} Darius{H1868} the king;{H4430}

they sent{H7972} a letter{H6600} unto{H5922} him, wherein{H1459} was written{H3790} thus:{H1836} Unto Darius{H1868} the king,{H4430} all{H3606} peace.{H8001}

Be it known{H1934} unto the king,{H4430} that we went{H236} into the province{H4083} of Judah,{H3061} to the house{H1005} of the great{H7229} God,{H426} which is builded{H1124} with great{H1560} stones,{H69} and timber{H636} is laid{H7761} in the walls;{H3797} and this{H1791} work{H5673} goeth{H5648} on with diligence{H629} and prospereth{H6744} in their hands.{H3028}

Then{H116} asked{H7593} we those{H479} elders,{H7868} and said{H560} unto them thus,{H3660} Who{H4479} gave you a decree{H7761} to build{H1124} this{H1836} house,{H1005} and to finish{H3635} this{H1836} wall?{H846}

We asked{H7593} them their names{H8036} also,{H638} to certify{H3046} thee, that we might write{H3790} the names{H8036} of the men{H1400} that were at the head{H7217} of them.

And thus{H3660} they returned{H8421} us answer,{H6600} saying,{H560} We{H586} are{H1994} the servants{H5649} of the God{H426} of heaven{H8065} and earth,{H772} and are building{H1124} the house{H1005} that was{H1934} builded{H1124} these{H1836} many{H7690} years{H8140} ago,{H6928} which a great{H7229} king{H4430} of Israel{H3479} builded{H1124} and finished.{H3635}

But{H3861} after{H4481} that our fathers{H2} had provoked{H7265} the God{H426} of heaven{H8065} unto wrath,{H7265} he gave{H3052} them{H1994} into the hand{H3028} of Nebuchadnezzar{H5020} king{H4430} of Babylon,{H895} the Chaldean,{H3679} who destroyed{H5642} this{H1836} house,{H1005} and carried{H1541} the people{H5972} away{H1541} into Babylon.{H895}

But{H1297} in the first{H2298} year{H8140} of Cyrus{H3567} king{H4430} of Babylon,{H895} Cyrus{H3567} the king{H4430} made{H7761} a decree{H2942} to build{H1124} this{H1836} house{H1005} of God.{H426}

And the gold{H1722} and silver{H3702} vessels{H3984} also{H638} of the house{H1005} of God,{H426} which Nebuchadnezzar{H5020} took{H5312} out of{H4481} the temple{H1965} that was in Jerusalem,{H3390} and brought{H2987} into the temple{H1965} of Babylon,{H895} those{H1994} did Cyrus{H3567} the king{H4430} take{H5312} out of{H4481} the temple{H1965} of{H4481} Babylon,{H895} and they were delivered{H3052} unto one whose name{H8036} was Sheshbazzar,{H8340} whom he had made{H7761} governor;{H6347}

and he said{H560} unto him, Take{H5376} these{H412} vessels,{H3984} go,{H236} put{H1994} them{H1994} in the temple{H1965} that is in Jerusalem,{H3390} and let the house{H1005} of God{H426} be builded{H1124} in{H5922} its place.{H870}

Then{H116} came{H858} the same{H1791} Sheshbazzar,{H8340} and laid{H3052} the foundations{H787} of the house{H1005} of God{H426} which is in Jerusalem:{H3390} and since{H4481} that time{H116} even until{H5705} now{H3705} hath it been in building,{H1124} and yet it is not{H3809} completed.{H8000}

Now{H3705} therefore, if{H2006} it seem good{H2869} to{H5922} the king,{H4430} let there be search{H1240} made in the king's{H4430} treasure -{H1596} house,{H1005} which is there{H8536} at Babylon,{H895} whether{H2006} it be{H383} so, that a decree{H2942} was made{H7761} of{H4481} Cyrus{H3567} the king{H4430} to build{H1124} this{H1791} house{H1005} of God{H426} at Jerusalem;{H3390} and let the king{H4430} send{H7972} his pleasure{H7470} to us concerning{H5922} this matter.{H1836}