The Iewes by assistance of king Darius build vp the Temple in
Ierusalem.
AND in the second yeare of the reigne of Darius prophecied Aggeus, and
Zacharias the sonne of Addo the prophet to Iurie and Ierusalem in the
name of God of Israel vpon them. (1 Esd 5:1) 2 Then Zorobabel the sonne
of Salathiel standing vp, and Iesus the sonne of Iosedec begane to
build the house of our Lord, which is in Ierusalem. 3 When the
prophetes of our Lord were present with them, and did helpe them. At
the same time came Sisennes to them, the deputie of Syria, and of
Phenice, and Satrabuzanes, and his felowes: 4 and they sayd to them: By
whose commandment, build ye this house, and this roofe, and perfite al
other thinges? And who are the workmen that build these thinges? 5 And
the ancientes of the Iewes, which were left of the captiuitie by our
Lord, had fauoure when the visitation was made vpon them. 6 And they
were not hindered from building, til it was signified to Darius of al
these thinges, and answer was receiued. 7 A copie of the letter, which
they sent to Darius. SISENNES deputie of Syria and Phenice, and
Satrabuzanes, and his felowes in Syria and Phenice presidents, to king
Darius greetings: 8 Be al thinges knowen to our Lord the king, that
when we came into the countrie of Iurie, and had entered into
Ierusalem, we found them building the great house of God. 9 And the
temple of polished stones, and of great and precious matter in the
walles. 10 And the workes to be a doing earnestly, and to succede, and
prosper in their handes, and in al glorie to be perfited most
diligently. 11 Then we asked the ancients saying, by whose permission
build ye this house, & found these workes? 12 And therfore we asked
them, that we might doe thee to know the men & the ouerseers, and we
required of them a rolle of the names of the ouerseers. 13 But they
answered vs saying: We are the seruantes of the Lord, which made heauen
and earth. 14 And this house was built these manie yeares past by a
king of Israel, that was great and most valiant, and was finished. 15
And because our fathers were prouoking to wrath, and sinned agaynst God
of Israel, he deliuered them into the handes of Nabuchodonosor the king
of Babylon, king of the Chaldees. 16 And throwing downe this house they
burnt it, and they led the people captiue into Babylon. 17 In the first
yeare when Cyrus reigned the king of Babylon, Cyrus the king wrote to
build this house. 18 And these sacred vessels of gold and siluer which
Nabuchodonosor had taken out of the house which is in Ierusalem, and
had consecrated them in his owne temple, Cyrus brought them forth
agayne out of the temple which was in Babylon, and they were deliuered
to Zorobabel, & to Salmanasar the deputie. 19 And it was commanded them
that they should offer these vessels, & lay them vp in the temple,
which was in Ierusalem, and build the temple of God itself in his
place. 20 Then did Salmanasar lay the fundations of the house of our
Lord, which is in Ierusalem: and from that time vntil now it is a
building, and is not accomplished. 21 Now therfore if thou thincke it
good o king, let it be sought in the kings liberaries of Cyrus the
king, which are in Babylon: 22 and if it shal be found, that the
building of the house of the Lord, which is in Ierusalem, begane by the
counsel of Cyrus the king, and it be thought good of our Lord the king,
let him write to vs of these thinges. 23 Then Darius the king commanded
search to be made in the libraries: and there was found in Ecbatana a
towne that is in the countrie of Media, one place wherin were writen
these wordes: (1 Esd 6:1) 24 IN THE FIRST YEARE of the reigne of Cyrus,
king Cyrus commanded to build the house of the Lord which is in
Ierusalem, where they did burne incense with dayly fire, 25 the height
wherof shal be of ten cubits, & the bredth three score cubites, foure
square with three stones polished, and with a loft galerie of wood of
the same countrie, & one new galerie, and the expenses to be geuen out
of the house of Cyrus the king. 26 And the sacred vesseles of the house
of the Lord, as wel of gold as of siluer, which Nabuchodonosor tooke
from the house of our Lord, which is in Ierusalem where they were
layed, that they be put there: 27 And he commanded Sisennes the deputie
of Syria & Phoenice, and Satrabuzanes, and his felowes & them that were
ordayned presidentes in Syria & Phoenice, that they should refraine
themselues from that place. 28 And I also haue geuen commandment to
build it wholly: and haue prouided, that they helpe them, which are of
the captiuitie of the Iewes, til the temple of the house of the Lord be
accomplished. 29 And from the vexation of the tributes of Coelesyria &
Phoenice, a quantitie to be geuen diligently to these men for the
sacrifice of the Lord, to Zorobabel the gouernour, for oxen, and
rammes, and lambes. 30 And in like maner corne also, and salt, and
wine, and oyle continually yeare by yeare, according as the priestes
which are in Ierusalem, haue prescribed to be spent dayly: 31 that
libamentes may be offered to the most high God for the king & his
children, & that they may pray for their life. 32 And that it be
denounced, that whosoeuer shal transgresse anie thing of these which
are writen, or shal despise it, a beame be taken of theyr owne, & they
be hanged, & their goodes be confiscate to the king. 33 Therfore the
Lord also, whose name is inuocated there, destroy euery king & nation,
that shal extend their hand to hinder or to handle il the house of the
Lord which is in Ierusalem. 34 I Darius the king haue decreed that it
be most diligently done according to these thinges.