Ezra:5-6

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* Then the prophets , Haggai the prophet , and Zechariah the son of Iddo , prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel , even unto them . * Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel , and Jeshua the son of Jozadak , and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem : and with them were the prophets of God helping them . * At the same time came to them Tatnai , governor on this side the river , and Shetharboznai , and their companions , and said thus unto them , Who hath commanded you to build this house , and to make up this wall ? * Then said we unto them after this manner , What are the names of the men that make this building ? * But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews , that they could not cause them to cease , till the matter came to Darius : and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter . * The copy of the letter that Tatnai , governor on this side the river , and Shetharboznai , and his companions the Apharsachites , which were on this side the river , sent unto Darius the king : * They sent a letter unto him , wherein was written thus ; Unto Darius the king , all peace . * Be it known unto the king , that we went into the province of Judea , to the house of the great God , which is builded with great stones , and timber is laid in the walls , and this work goeth fast on , and prospereth in their hands . * Then asked we those elders , and said unto them thus , Who commanded you to build this house , and to make up these walls ? * We asked their names also , to certify thee , that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them . * And thus they returned us answer , saying , We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth , and build the house that was builded these many years ago , which a great king of Israel builded and set up . * But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath , he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon , the Chaldean , who destroyed this house , and carried the people away into Babylon . * But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God . * And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God , which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem , and brought them into the temple of Babylon , those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon , and they were delivered unto one , whose name was Sheshbazzar , whom he had made governor ; * And said unto him , Take these vessels , go , carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem , and let the house of God be builded in his place . * Then came the same Sheshbazzar , and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem : and since that time even until now hath it been in building , and yet it is not finished . * Now therefore , if it seem good to the king , let there be search made in the king 's treasure house , which is there at Babylon , whether it be so , that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem , and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter . * Then Darius the king made a decree , and search was made in the house of the rolls , where the treasures were laid up in Babylon . * And there was found at Achmetha , in the palace that is in the province of the Medes , a roll , and therein was a record thus written : * In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem , Let the house be builded , the place where they offered sacrifices , and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid ; the height thereof threescore cubits , and the breadth thereof threescore cubits ; * With three rows of great stones , and a row of new timber : and let the expenses be given out of the king 's house : * And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God , which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem , and brought unto Babylon , be restored , and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem , every one to his place , and place them in the house of God . * Now therefore , Tatnai , governor beyond the river , Shetharboznai , and your companions the Apharsachites , which are beyond the river , be ye far from thence : * Let the work of this house of God alone ; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place . * Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God : that of the king 's goods , even of the tribute beyond the river , forthwith expenses be given unto these men , that they be not hindered . * And that which they have need of , both young bullocks , and rams , and lambs , for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven , wheat , salt , wine , and oil , according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem , let it be given them day by day without fail : * That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven , and pray for the life of the king , and of his sons . * Also I have made a decree , that whosoever shall alter this word , let timber be pulled down from his house , and being set up , let him be hanged thereon ; and let his house be made a dunghill for this . * And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people , that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem . I Darius have made a decree ; let it be done with speed . * Then Tatnai , governor on this side the river , Shetharboznai , and their companions , according to that which Darius the king had sent , so they did speedily . * And the elders of the Jews builded , and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo . And they builded , and finished it , according to the commandment of the God of Israel , and according to the commandment of Cyrus , and Darius , and Artaxerxes king of Persia . * And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar , which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king . * And the children of Israel , the priests , and the Levites , and the rest of the children of the captivity , kept the dedication of this house of God with joy , * And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks , two hundred rams , four hundred lambs ; and for a sin offering for all Israel , twelve he goats , according to the number of the tribes of Israel . * And they set the priests in their divisions , and the Levites in their courses , for the service of God , which is at Jerusalem ; as it is written in the book of Moses . * And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month . * For the priests and the Levites were purified together , all of them were pure , and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity , and for their brethren the priests , and for themselves . * And the children of Israel , which were come again out of captivity , and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land , to seek the LORD God of Israel , did eat , * And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy : for the LORD had made them joyful , and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them , to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God , the God of Israel . * Now after these things , in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia , Ezra the son of Seraiah , the son of Azariah , the son of Hilkiah ,

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