Ezra 5

1Now the prophets, HaggaiH2292 the prophet, and ZechariahH2148 the sonH1247 of IddoH5714, prophesied unto the JewsH3062 that were in JudahH3061 and JerusalemH3390; in the nameH8036 of the GodH426 of IsraelH3479 prophesied they unto them. 2ThenH116 rose up Zerubbabel the sonH1247 of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the sonH1247 of Jozadak, and began to build the houseH1005 of GodH426 which is at JerusalemH3390; and with them were the prophetsH5029 of GodH426, helping them. 3At the same timeH2166 cameH858 to them TattenaiH8674, the governorH6347 beyond the RiverH5103, and Shethar-bozenaiH8370, and their companions, and saidH560 thus unto them, Who gave you a decreeH2942 to build this houseH1005, and to finishH3635 this wall? 4ThenH116 we toldH560 them after this manner, what the namesH8036 of the menH1400 were that were making this buildingH1124. 5But the eye of their GodH426 was upon the eldersH7868 of the JewsH3062, and they did not make them ceaseH989, till the matter should come to DariusH1868, and thenH116 answer should be returnedH8421 by letter concerningH5922 it.

6The copyH6573 of the letterH104 that TattenaiH8674, the governorH6347 beyond the RiverH5103, and Shethar-bozenaiH8370, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the RiverH5103, sent unto DariusH1868 the kingH4430; 7they sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus: Unto DariusH1868 the kingH4430, all peaceH8001. 8Be it knownH3046 unto the kingH4430, that we went into the provinceH4083 of JudahH3061, to the houseH1005 of the greatH7229 GodH426, which is builded with greatH7229 stonesH69, and timberH636 is laid in the walls; and this workH5673 goeth on with diligence and prospereth in their handsH3028. 9ThenH116 askedH7593 we those eldersH7868, and saidH560 unto them thus, Who gave you a decreeH2942 to build this houseH1005, and to finishH3635 this wall? 10We askedH7593 them their namesH8036 alsoH638, to certify thee, that we might write the namesH8036 of the menH1400 that were at the headH7217 of them. 11And thus they returnedH8421 us answer, sayingH560, We are the servantsH5649 of the GodH426 of heavenH8065 and earthH772, and are buildingH1124 the houseH1005 that was builded these manyH7690 yearsH8140 ago, which a greatH7229 kingH4430 of IsraelH3479 builded and finishedH3635. 12But after that our fathersH2 had provoked the GodH426 of heavenH8065 unto wrath, he gave them into the handH3028 of NebuchadnezzarH5020 kingH4430 of BabylonH895, the Chaldean, who destroyed this houseH1005, and carried the peopleH5972 away into BabylonH895. 13But in the first yearH8140 of CyrusH3567 kingH4430 of BabylonH895, CyrusH3567 the kingH4430 madeH7761 a decreeH2942 to build this houseH1005 of GodH426. 14And the goldH1722 and silverH3702 vesselsH3984 alsoH638 of the houseH1005 of GodH426, which NebuchadnezzarH5020 took out of the temple that was in JerusalemH3390, and brought into the temple of BabylonH895, those did CyrusH3567 the kingH4430 take out of the temple of BabylonH895, and they were delivered unto one whose nameH8036 was SheshbazzarH8340, whom he had madeH7761 governorH6347; 15and he saidH560 unto him, Take these vesselsH3984, go, put them in the temple that is in JerusalemH3390, and let the houseH1005 of GodH426 be builded in its placeH870. 16ThenH116 cameH858 the same SheshbazzarH8340, and laid the foundationsH787 of the houseH1005 of GodH426 which is in JerusalemH3390: and since that time even until nowH3705 hath it been in buildingH1124, and yet it is not completed. 17NowH3705 therefore, if it seem good to the kingH4430, let there be searchH1240 made in the king’sH4430 treasure-house, which is there at BabylonH895, whether it be so, that a decreeH2942 was made of CyrusH3567 the kingH4430 to build this houseH1005 of GodH426 at JerusalemH3390; and let the kingH4430 send his pleasure to us concerningH5922 this matter.