1
Now in the second year of the reign of Darius, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews who were in Judea and Jerusalem, they prophesied to them in the name of the Lord God of Israel.
2
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to build the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem, with the help of the prophets of the Lord who were with them.
3
At the same time Sisinnes the governor of Syria and Phoenicia and Sathrabuzanes and their associates came to them and said,
4
"By whose order are you building this house and this roof and finishing all the other things? And who are the builders that are finishing these things?"
5
Yet the elders of the Jews were dealt with kindly, for the providence of the Lord was over the captives;
6
and they were not prevented from building until word could be sent to Darius concerning them and a report made.
7
A copy of the letter which Sisinnes the governor of Syria and Phoenicia, and Sathrabuzanes, and their associates the local rulers in Syria and Phoenicia, wrote and sent to Darius:
8
"To King Darius, greeting. Let it be fully known to our lord the king that, when we went to the country of Judea and entered the city of Jerusalem, we found the elders of the Jews, who had been in captivity,
9
building in the city of Jerusalem a great new house for the Lord, of hewn stone, with costly timber laid in the walls.
10
These operations are going on rapidly, and the work is prospering in their hands and being completed with all splendor and care.
11
Then we asked these elders, `At whose command are you building this house and laying the foundations of this structure?'