1
Now the prophets, Chaggai the prophet, and Zekharyahu the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Yehudim who were in Yehudah and Yerushalayim; in the name of Elohim of Yisra’el they prophesied to them.
2
Then rose up Zerubbavel the son of Shealti’el, and Yahushua the son of Yehotzadaq, and began to build the House of Elohim which is at Yerushalayim; and with them were the prophets of Elohim, helping them.
3
At the same time came to them Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, 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 in this way, what the names of the men were who were making this building.
5
But the eye of their Elohim was on the elders of the Yehudim, and they did not make them cease, until the matter should come to Daryavesh, and then answer should be returned by letter concerning it.
6
The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent to Daryavesh the king;
7
they sent a letter to him, in which was written thus: To Daryavesh the king, all peace.
8
Be it known to the king, that we went into the province of Yehudah, to the house of the great Elohim, 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 we asked 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 their head.
11
Thus they returned us answer, saying, "We are the servants of Elohim of heaven and earth, and are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Yisra’el built and finished.
12
But after that our fathers had provoked Elohim of heaven to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nevukhadnetzar king of Bavel, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Bavel.
13
But in the first year of Koresh king of Bavel, Koresh the king made a decree to build this house of Elohim.
14
The gold and silver vessels also of the House of Elohim, which Nevukhadnetzar took out of the Temple that was in Yerushalayim, and brought into the Temple of Bavel, those Koresh the king took out of the Temple of Bavel, and they were delivered to one whose name was Sheshbatzar, whom he had made governor;
15
and he said to him, 'Take these vessels, go, put them in the Temple that is in Yerushalayim, and let the House of Elohim be built in its place.'
16
Then the same Sheshbatzar came, and laid the foundations of the House of Elohim which is in Yerushalayim: 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 a search be made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Bavel, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Koresh the king to build this house of Elohim at Yerushalayim; and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter."