Ezra 5

1And Aggaeus the prophet, and Zacharias theson of Addo, prophesied a prophesy to the Jews in Juda and Jerusalem in the name of the Godof Israel,even to them. 2Then rose up Zorobabel theson of Salathiel, and Jesus the son of Josedec, and began to build the house of God that wasin Jerusalem: and with themwere the prophets of God assisting them. 3At the same time came there upon them Thanthanai, the governor on this side the river,and Satharbuzanai, and their fellow-servants, and spoke thus to them, Who has ordained a decree for youto build this house, and toprovide this preparation? 4Then they spoke thus to them, What are the names of the men that build this city? 5But the eyes of God were upon the captivity of Juda, and they did not cause them to ceasetill the decree was brought to Darius; and then was sent by the tribute-gatherer concerning this 6the copy of a letter, which Thanthanai, the governor of the part on this side the river,and Satharbuzanai, and their fellow-servants the Apharsachaeans who were on this side of the river, sentto king Darius. 7They sent an account to him, and thus it was written in it: All peace to king Darius. 8Be it known to the king, that we went into the land of Judea, to the house of the greatGod; and it is building with choice stones, and they are laying timbers in the walls, and that work isprospering, and goes on favorably in their hands. 9Then we asked those elders, and thus we said to them, Who gave you the order to buildthis house, and toprovide this preparation? 10And we asked them their names,in order to declarethem to you, so as to write to you the names of their leading men. 11And they answered us thus, saying, Weare the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and weare building the house which had been built many years before this, and a great king of Israelbuilt it, and established it for them. 12But after that our fathers provoked the God of heaven, he gave them into the hands ofNabuchodonosor the Chaldean, king of Babylon, and he destroyed this house, and carried the people captiveto Babylon. 13And in the first year of king Cyrus, Cyrus the king made a decree that this house ofGod should be built. 14And the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nabuchodonosor brought outfrom the house that was in Jerusalem, and carried them into the temple of the king, them did king Cyrusbring out from the temple of the king, and gave them to Sabanasar the treasurer, who was over the treasurer; 15and said to him, Take all the vessels, and go, put them in the house that is in Jerusalemin their place. 16Then that Sabanazar came, and laid the foundations of the house of God in Jerusalem:and from that time even until now it has been building, and has not been finished. 17And now, if itseem good to the king, lest search be made in the treasure-house of the king at Babylon, thatyou may knowif it be that a decree was made by king Cyrus to build that house of God that was in Jerusalem,and let the king send to us when he has learnt concerning thismatter.

Copyright information for EngLXX