Chapter 2

Chapter 2

 

2:1 In the first year of Cyrus king of the Persians, that the
word of the Lord might be accomplished, that he had promised by the mouth of
Jeremy; 2 The Lord raised up the spirit of Cyrus the king of the Persians, and
he made proclamation through all his kingdom, and also by writing, 3 Saying,
Thus saith Cyrus king of the Persians; The Lord of Israel, the most high Lord,
hath made me king of the whole world, 4 And commanded me to build him an house
at Jerusalem in Jewry.

 

5 If therefore there be any of you that are of his people, let
the Lord, even his Lord, be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem that is in
Judea, and build the house of the Lord of Israel: for he is the Lord that dwelleth
in Jerusalem. 6 Whosoever then dwell in the places about, let them help him,
those, I say, that are his neighbours, with gold, and with silver, 7 With
gifts, with horses, and with cattle, and other things, which have been set
forth by vow, for the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem.

 

8 Then the chief of the families of Judea and of the tribe of
Benjamin stood up; the priests also, and the Levites, and all they whose mind
the Lord had moved to go up, and to build an house for the Lord at Jerusalem, 9
And they that dwelt round about them, and helped them in all things with silver
and gold, with horses and cattle, and with very many free gifts of a great
number whose minds were stirred up thereto. 10 King Cyrus also brought forth
the holy vessels, which Nabuchodonosor had carried away from Jerusalem, and had
set up in his temple of idols.

 

11 Now when Cyrus king of the Persians had brought them forth,
he delivered them to Mithridates his treasurer: 12 And by him they were
delivered to Sanabassar the governor of Judea. 13 And this was the number of
them; A thousand golden cups, and a thousand of silver, censers of silver
twenty nine, vials of gold thirty, and of silver two thousand four hundred and
ten, and a thousand other vessels. 14 So all the vessels of gold and of silver,
which were carried away, were five thousand four hundred threescore and nine.
15 These were brought back by Sanabassar, together with them of the captivity,
from Babylon to Jerusalem.

 

16 But in the time of Artaxerxes king of the Persians Belemus,
and Mithridates, and Tabellius, and Rathumus, and Beeltethmus, and Semellius
the secretary, with others that were in commission with them, dwelling in
Samaria and other places, wrote unto him against them that dwelt in Judea and
Jerusalem these letters following; 17 To king Artaxerxes our lord, Thy servants,
Rathumus the storywriter, and Semellius the scribe, and the rest of their
council, and the judges that are in Celosyria and Phenice. 18 Be it now known
to the lord king, that the Jews that are up from you to us, being come into
Jerusalem, that rebellious and wicked city, do build the marketplaces, and
repair the walls of it and do lay the foundation of the temple. 19 Now if this
city and the walls thereof be made up again, they will not only refuse to give
tribute, but also rebel against kings.

 

20 And forasmuch as the things pertaining to the temple are now
in hand, we think it meet not to neglect such a matter, 21 But to speak unto
our lord the king, to the intent that, if it be thy pleasure it may be sought
out in the books of thy fathers: 22 And thou shalt find in the chronicles what
is written concerning these things, and shalt understand that that city was
rebellious, troubling both kings and cities: 23 And that the Jews were
rebellious, and raised always wars therein; for the which cause even this city
was made desolate. 24 Wherefore now we do declare unto thee, O lord the king,
that if this city be built again, and the walls thereof set up anew, thou shalt
from henceforth have no passage into Celosyria and Phenice.

 

25 Then the king wrote back again to Rathumus the storywriter,
to Beeltethmus, to Semellius the scribe, and to the rest that were in
commission, and dwellers in Samaria and Syria and Phenice, after this manner;
26 I have read the epistle which ye have sent unto me: therefore I commanded to
make diligent search, and it hath been found that that city was from the
beginning practising against kings; 27 And the men therein were given to
rebellion and war: and that mighty kings and fierce were in Jerusalem, who
reigned and exacted tributes in Celosyria and Phenice. 28 Now therefore I have
commanded to hinder those men from building the city, and heed to be taken that
there be no more done in it; 29 And that those wicked workers proceed no
further to the annoyance of kings,

 

30 Then king Artaxerxes his letters being read, Rathumus, and Semellius
the scribe, and the rest that were in commission with them, removing in haste
toward Jerusalem with a troop of horsemen and a multitude of people in battle
array, began to hinder the builders; and the building of the temple in
Jerusalem ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of the
Persians.