Reconstruction of the Temple Resumes
2 Ezra 5, verse 1. Then Haggai the prophet and the prophet Zechariah the son of Iddo prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel over them. 2 Ezra 5, verse 2. At that time, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them, helping them. 2 Ezra 5, verse 3. At the same time, Tattenai the governor of the region beyond the River and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came there and spoke thus to them: “Who commanded you to build this house and repair this wall?” 2 Ezra 5, verse 4. Then they said this to them, “What are the names of the men, the ones building this city?” 2 Ezra 5, verse 5. But the eyes of God were upon the exiles of Judah, and they were unable to stop them till a report was taken to Darius. Then a written answer was returned concerning this matter. 2 Ezra 5, verse 6. This is a copy of the letter which Tattenai the governor of the province beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai, and their fellow servants the Apharsachites, the ones in the province beyond the River Jordan, sent to King Darius. 2 Ezra 5, verse 7. They sent a letter to him in which was written thus: To Darius the king: All peace. 2 Ezra 5, verse 8. Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judea, to the temple of the great God, which is being built with heavy stones, and timber is being laid in the walls; and this work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands. 2 Ezra 5, verse 9. Then we asked those elders and spoke thus to them: “Who commanded you to build this temple and to finish these walls?” 2 Ezra 5, verse 10. We also asked them their names to inform you, that we might write the names of the men who were chief among them. 2 Ezra 5, verse 11. And thus they returned us an answer, saying, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed. 2 Ezra 5, verse 12. But because our fathers provoked the God of heaven to wrath, He gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this temple and carried the people away to Babylon. 2 Ezra 5, verse 13. However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to build this house of God. 2 Ezra 5, verse 14. Also, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple that was in Jerusalem and carried into the temple of Babylon—those King Cyrus took from the temple of Babylon, and they were given to one named Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor. 2 Ezra 5, verse 15. And he said to him, ‘Take these articles; go, carry them to the temple site that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its former site.’ 2 Ezra 5, verse 16. Then the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem; but from that time even until now it has been under construction, and it is not finished.” 2 Ezra 5, verse 17. Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king's treasure house, which is there in Babylon, whether it is so that a decree was issued by King Cyrus to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send us his pleasure concerning this matter.