1. The prophet Haggai and Zechariah, grandson of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of Israel’s God, who was over them.
2. Then Zerubbabel, who was Shealtiel’s son, and Jeshua, who was Jozadak’s son, began to rebuild God’s temple in Jerusalem. God’s prophets were with them and supported them.
3. At the same time, Governor Tattenai ⌊from the province⌋ west of the Euphrates River, Shethar Bozenai, and their group went to the Jews and asked them, “Who gave you permission to rebuild this temple and finish its walls?”
4. They also asked the Jews for the names of the men who were working on this building.
5. But the leaders of the Jews were under God’s watchful eye. They couldn’t be stopped until Darius received a report and sent a reply to it.
6. Here is a copy of the letter Governor Tattenai ⌊from the province⌋ west of the Euphrates River, Shethar Bozenai and his group (the Persians west of that river) sent to King Darius.
7. They sent him the following report:To King Darius,We wish you peace and prosperity in everything you do.
8. Your Majesty should know that we went to the province of Judah, to the temple of the great God. The temple is being built with large stones and with wooden beams laid in its walls. The builders are doing an excellent job and making rapid progress.