1 Then Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel who was over them.

Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.

2 Then Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua, son of Jozadak, arose and began to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.

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 that time, Tattenai, the governor of the region beyond the River, Shethar-Bozenai, and their companions came to them and said, 'Who gave you the authority to rebuild this temple and complete this structure?'

At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?

4 They also asked, 'What are the names of the men who are constructing this building?'

Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?

5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could be sent to Darius, and they received his response regarding this matter.

But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.

6 This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, Shethar-Bozenai, and their companions, the officials of the region beyond the River, sent to King Darius.

The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which were on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:

7 They sent a report to him, written as follows: 'To King Darius, all peace.'

They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.

8 'Let it be known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the temple of the great God. It is being rebuilt with large stones and timber is being placed in the walls. The work is being done diligently and is progressing well in their hands.'

Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.

9 'Then we asked those elders, and we said to them, "Who gave you the authority to rebuild this temple and complete this structure?"'

Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?

10 'We also asked them for their names in order to inform you, so we could record the names of the men who are leading this work.'

We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.

11 'This was their reply to us: "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago. It was a great king of Israel who built and completed it."'

And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.

12 'But because our ancestors angered the God of heaven, He gave them into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this temple and deported the people to Babylon.'

But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.

13 'However, in the first year of Cyrus, king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild this temple of God.'

But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.

14 And even the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to the temple in Babylon, these King Cyrus took out of the temple in Babylon and handed over to Sheshbazzar, whom he appointed as governor.

And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;

15 And he said to him, 'Take these vessels and go; deposit them in the temple in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its original site.'

And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.

16 Then this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem. And from that time until now, it has been under construction and is not yet completed.

Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.

17 And now, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the royal archives in Babylon to determine if a decree was indeed issued by King Cyrus to rebuild this house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us his decision concerning this matter.

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.