1 And there prophesied Aggæus the Prophet, and Zacharias the son of Addo, prophesying to the Jews, that were in Jewry and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel.
1 Now Aggeus the prophet, and Zacharias the son of Addo, prophesied to the Jews that were in Judea and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel.
2 Then rose up Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Josue the son of Josedec, and began to build the temple of God in Jerusalem, and with them the Prophets of God helping them.
2 Then rose up Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, and Josue the son of Josedec, and began to build the temple of God in Jerusalem, and with them were the prophets of God helping them.
3 But at the same time there came to them Thathanai, who was Prince beyond the River, and Stharbuzanai, and their counsellers: and said thus to them: Who hath given you counsel to build this house, and to repair the walls?
3 And at the same time came to them Thathanai, who was governor beyond the river, and Stharbuzanai, and their counselors: and said thus to them: Who hath given you counsel to build this house, and to repair the walls thereof?
4 Whereto we answered them, what the names were of the men that were authors of that building.
4 In answer to which we gave them the names of the men who were the promoters of that building.
5 And the eye of their God was set upon the ancients of the Jews, and they could not inhibit them. And it pleased them that the matter should be referred to Darius, and then they would satisfy against that accusation.
5 But the eye of their God was upon the ancients of the Jews, and they could not hinder them. And it was agreed that the matter should be referred to Darius, and then they should give satisfaction concerning that accusation.
6 The copy of the epistle, which Thathanai Prince of the country beyond the River sent, and Stharbuzanai, and his counsellers the Arphasacheites, which were beyond the River, to Darius the king.
6 The copy of the letter that Thathanai governor of the country beyond the river, and Stharbuzanai, and his counselors the Arphasachites, who dwelt beyond the river, sent to Darius the king.
7 The word, which they sent him, was written thus: To Darius the king all peace.
7 The letter which they sent him, was written thus: To Darius the king all peace.
8 Be it known to the king, that we went to Jury, the province, to the house of the great God, which is in building with stone unpolished, and timber is put in the walls: and that work is in building diligently, and groweth in their hands.
8 Be it known to the king, that we went to the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which they are building with unpolished stones, and timber is laid in the walls: and this work is carried on diligently and advanceth in their hands.
9 We therefore demanded of those ancients, and thus we said to them: Who hath given you authority to build this house, and to repair these walls?
9 And we asked those ancients, and said to them thus: Who hath given you authority to build this house, and to repair these walls?
10 Yea and their names we asked of them, that we might certify thee: and we writ the names of those men, that are the chief amongst them.
10 We asked also of them their names, that we might give thee notice: and we have written the names of the men that are the chief among them.
11 And they answered us these words, saying: We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we do build a temple, that was built these many years before, and which a great king of Israel built and set up.
11 And they answered us in these words, saying: We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are building a temple that was built these many years ago, and which a great king of Israel built and set up.
12 But after that our fathers provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he delivered them into the hands of Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon the Chaldee: this house also he destroyed, and his people he transported into Babylon.
12 But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he delivered them into the hands of Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon the Chaldean: and he destroyed this house, and carried away the people to Babylon.
13 But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon, Cyrus the king put forth an edict, that this house of God should be built.
13 But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon, king Cyrus set forth a decree, that this house of God should be built.
14 For the vessels also of the temple of God, of gold and of silver, which Nabuchodonosor had taken out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and had carried them into the temple of Babylon, Cyrus the king brought forth out of the temple of Babylon, and they were given to Sassabasar so called, whom also he appointed the chief,
14 And the vessels also of gold and silver of the temple of God, which Nabuchodonosor had taken out of the temple, that was in Jerusalem, and had brought them to the temple of Babylon, king Cyrus brought out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one Sassabasar, whom also he appointed governor,
15 and said to him: Take these vessels, and go, and put them in the temple, that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be built in his place.
15 And said to him: Take these vessels, and go, and put them in the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be built in its place.
16 Then therefore came this Sassabasar, and laid the foundations of the temple of God in Jerusalem, & from that time until now it is in building, & is not yet finished.
16 Then came this same Sassabasar, and laid the foundations of the temple of God in Jerusalem, and from that time until now it is in building, and is not yet finished.
17 Now therefore if it seem good to the king, let him search in the king's library, which is in Babylon, whether it hath been commanded by Cyrus the king, that the house of God in Jerusalem should be built, and let him send the king's pleasure concerning this thing unto us.
17 Now therefore if it seem good to the king, let him search in the king’s library, which is in Babylon, whether it hath been decreed by Cyrus the king, that the house of God in Jerusalem should be built, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.