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1In the second year of the reign of Darius, the two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo, began to speak in the name of the Lord God of Israel to the Jews who lived in Judah and Jerusalem.[#Zech 1.1]
2When Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jehozadak heard their messages, they began to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, and the two prophets helped them.[#Hag 1.12; Zech 4.6–9]
3Almost at once Sisinnes, governor of Greater Syria and Phoenicia, with Shethar Bozenai and their fellow-officials, came to Jerusalem and demanded:
4“Who gave you orders to build this temple and complete this roof and everything else? Who is doing this work?”
5But the Lord was with the people who had returned from exile and was watching over the Jewish leaders,
6and they were allowed to continue building until Darius could be informed and his reply received.
7This is the report that the Persian officials sent to the emperor:
23So Darius the emperor ordered a search to be made in the royal records that were kept in Babylon. It was, however, in the fortress of Ecbatana in the province of Media that a scroll was found, containing the following record:
27Then Darius gave strict orders to Sisinnes, governor of Greater Syria and Phoenicia, Shethar Bozenai, their fellow-officials, and the local officials to stay away from Jerusalem and let Zerubbabel, the servant of the Lord and governor of Judah, and the other Jewish leaders rebuild the Temple of the Lord where it stood before.
28“And I also command,” he continued, “that it be completely rebuilt and that, until it is finished, every effort be made to help the Jews who have returned from exile.
29From the taxes received in Greater Syria and Phoenicia a contribution shall be made on a regular basis to these men, payable to Zerubbabel, the governor, for bulls, sheep, and lambs to be used in their sacrifices to the Lord.
30In the same way, each year and without further question, wheat, salt, wine, and olive-oil are to be supplied, according to the daily needs indicated by the priests.
31This must be done so that they can make wine offerings to God Most High for me and my children and pray for his blessing on our lives.”
32He also gave these orders: “If anyone disobeys the commands as written above or fails to carry them out, he is to be hanged on a wooden beam taken from his own house, and his property is to be handed over to the emperor.
33May the Lord who is worshipped at Jerusalem destroy any king or nation that tries to stop the work or damage the Temple there.
34I, Darius, issue the command that these orders be carried out in every detail.”