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In the second year of the reign of Emperor Darius, the two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo, began to speak in the name of the Lord God of Israel to the Jews who lived in Judah and Jerusalem.
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When Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jehozadak heard their messages, they began to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, and the two prophets helped them.
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Almost at once Governor Sisinnes of Greater Syria and Phoenicia, with Shethar Bozenai and the other officials, came to Jerusalem and demanded:
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"Who gave you orders to build this Temple and complete this roof and everything else? Who is doing this work?"
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But the Lord was with the people who had returned from exile and was watching over the Jewish leaders,
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and they were allowed to continue building until Emperor Darius could be informed and his reply received.
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Here is the report that the Persian officials sent to the emperor:
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"To Emperor Darius, greetings. "Your Majesty should know that we went to Judah and to Jerusalem and there we found the leaders of the Jews who have returned from exile