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.