Open English Translation G ESD Chapter 6

6 Now in the second year of Dareyavesh’s (Darius’) reign, Hagay and Zekaryah (Zechariah) the son of[fn] Ido, the prophets, prophesied to the Yehudim (Jews) in Yehudah and Yerushalem (Jerusalem) in the name of the master, the god of Yisrael.[ref] 2 Then Zorobabel the son of Salathiail and Yeshua the son of Yotsadak stood up and began to build the master’s house at Yerushalem, the master’s prophets being with them and helping them.

3 At the same time Tatenay[fn] the governor of Aram (Syria) and Foinikai came to them, with Shetar-Bozenay[fn] and his companions, and said to them,[ref] 4 “By whose authority do you build this house and this roof, and perform all the other things? Who are the builders who do these things?” 5 Nevertheless, the elders of the Yehudim obtained favour, because the master had visited the captives; 6 and they weren’t hindered from building until such time as communication was made to Dareyavesh about them, and his answer received.

7 A copy of the letter which Tatenay, governor of Aram and Foinikai, and Shetar-Bozenay, with their companions, the rulers in Aram and Foinikai, wrote and sent to Dareyavesh:

8 “To King Dareyavesh, greetings. Let it be fully known to our lord the king, that having come into the country of Yehudah (Judea), and entered into the city of Yerushalem, we found in the city of Yerushalem the elders of the Yehudim that were of the captivity 9 building a great new house for the master of hewn and costly stones, with timber laid in the walls. 10 Those works are being done with great speed. The work goes on prosperously in their hands, and it’s being accomplished with all glory and diligence. 11 Then asked we these elders, saying, ‘By whose authority are you building this house and laying the foundations of these works?’ 12 Therefore, to the intent that we might give knowledge to you by writing who were the leaders, we questioned them, and we required of them the names in writing of their principal men. 13 So they gave us this answer, ‘We’re the servants of the master who made heaven and earth. 14 As for this house, it was built many years ago by a great and strong king of Yisrael (Israel), and was finished. 15 But when our fathers sinned against the master of Yisrael who’s in heaven, and provoked him to anger, he gave them over into the hands of King Nevukadnetsar (Nebuchadnezzar) of Bavel, king of the Kasdim (Chaldeans). 16 They pulled down the house, burnt it, and carried away the people captive to Bavel. 17 But in the first year that Koresh (Cyrus) reigned over the country of Bavel, King Koresh wrote that this house should be rebuilt. 18 The holy vessels of gold and of silver that Nevukadnetsar had carried away out of the house at Yerushalem (Jerusalem) and had set up in his own temple, those King Koresh brought out of the temple in Bavel, and they were delivered to Zorobabel and to Sheshebatsar[fn] the governor, 19 with commandment that he should carry away all these vessels, and put them in the temple at Yerushalem, and that the master’s temple should be built on its site. 20 Then Sheshebatsar, having come here, laid the foundations of the master’s house which is in Yerushalem. From that time to this we’re still building. It isn’t yet fully completed.’ 21 Now therefore, if it seems good, Oh king, let a search be made among the royal archives of our lord the king that are in Bavel. 22 If it’s found that the building of the master’s house which is in Yerushalem has been done with the consent of King Koresh, and it seems good to our lord the king, let him send us directions about these things.”

23 Then King Dareyavesh (Darius) commanded that a search be made among the archives that were laid up at Bavel (Babylon). So at Ahmeta the palace, which is in the country of Maday (Media), a scroll was found where these things were recorded:[ref] 24 “In the first year of Koresh’s reign, King Koresh commanded to build up the master’s house which is in Yerushalem, where they sacrifice with continual fire. 25 Its height will be sixty cubits, and the breadth sixty cubits, with three rows of hewn stones, and one row of new wood from that country. Its expenses are to be given out of King Koresh’s house. 26 The holy vessels of the master’s house, both gold and silver, that Nevukadnetsar took out of the house at Yerushalem and carried away to Bavel, should be restored to the house at Yerushalem, and be set in the place where they were before.” 27 Also he commanded that Tatenay the governor of Aram (Syria) and Foinikai, and Shetar-Bozenay, and their companions, and those who were appointed rulers in Aram and Foinikai, should be careful not to meddle with the place, but allow Zorobabel, the master’s servant, and governor of Yehudah (Judea), and the elders of the Yehudim (Jews), to build that house of the master in its place. 28 “I also command to have it built up whole again; and that they look diligently to help those who are of the captivity of Yehudah, until the master’s house is finished, 29 and that out of the tribute of Coele-Syria and Foinikai a portion will be carefully given to these men for the sacrifices of the master, that is, to Zorobabel the governor for bulls, rams, and lambs, 30 and also corn, salt, wine and oil, and that continually every year without further question, according as the priests who are in Yerushalem may direct to be daily spent, 31 that drink offerings may be made to the Most High God for the king and for his children, and that they may pray for their lives.” 32 He commanded that whoever should transgress, yes, or neglect anything written here, a beam will be taken out of his own house, and he’ll be hanged on it, and all his goods seized for the king. 33 “Therefore may the master, whose name is called on there, utterly destroy every king and nation that stretches out his hand to hinder or damage that house of the master in Yerushalem. 34 I, King Dareyavesh have ordained that these things be done with diligence.”