1. Now the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem; in the name of the God of Israel did they prophesy to them.
2. 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 who helped them.
3. At that time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and their companions, and said thus to them: Who gave you orders to build this house and to complete this wall?
4. And they said to them after this manner: What are the names of the men that build this building?
5. But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not make them cease till the matter came to Darius; and then they returned answer by letter concerning it.
6. The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were on this side the river, sent to Darius the king.
7. They sent a report to him in which was written thus: To Darius the king, all peace!
8. Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God which is being built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work is being carried on with diligence, and prospers in their hand.
9. Then asked we those elders: thus we said to them, Who gave you orders to build this house and to complete this wall?
10. We asked their names also, to inform thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
11. And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of the heavens and the earth, and build the house that was built these many years ago; and a great king of Israel built and completed it.