Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

The prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo spoke to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel. Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua, son of Jozadak, rose up with them to start building God's house in Jerusalem.

As they were working on the construction, Tatnai, the governor on this side of the river, along with Shethar-bozenai and their companions arrived. They asked the Jews, "Who authorized you to build this house and complete this wall?" The builders replied that the prophets of God were assisting them in the project.

The officials wanted to know who was behind the construction effort, so they asked the men building the structure, "What are your names?" Meanwhile, the eye of their God watched over the elders of the Jews, preventing them from stopping until the matter came before Darius and a response was returned by letter concerning it.

Tatnai, governor on this side of the river, along with Shethar-bozenai and his companions, sent a copy of their inquiry to Darius the king. The letter read: "To Darius the king, all peace." They explained that they had visited the province of Judea and saw the great temple being built with large stones and timber laid in the walls. The work was progressing rapidly and prospering in the hands of those building it.

The officials asked the elders who gave them permission to build the house and complete these walls. They wanted to know their names so that they could verify the information. The builders responded, "We are servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house that was built many years ago by a great king of Israel."

However, after our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean. He destroyed this house and carried the people away into Babylon. But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon, Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.

Cyrus took the vessels of gold and silver from the house of God that Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of Jerusalem and brought to Babylon. He gave these treasures to Sheshbazzar, whom he had appointed as governor, with instructions to take them into the temple in Jerusalem. Then Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation of God's house in Jerusalem; since that time it has been under construction, but remains unfinished.

Now, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king's treasure house at Babylon to see if there was a decree from Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem. Then send your response regarding this matter.