1:1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: 1:2 "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 1:3 Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel--he is the God who is in Jerusalem; 1:4 and let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem." 1:5 Then rose up the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, every one whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem; 1:6 and all who were about them aided them with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, with beasts, and with costly wares, besides all that was freely offered. 1:7 Cyrus the king also brought out the vessels of the house of the LORD which Nebuchadnez'zar had carried away from Jerusalem and placed in the house of his gods. 1:8 Cyrus king of Persia brought these out in charge of Mith'redath the treasurer, who counted them out to Shesh-baz'zar the prince of Judah. 1:9 And this was the number of them: a thousand basins of gold, a thousand basins of silver, twenty-nine censers, 1:10 thirty bowls of gold, two thousand four hundred and ten bowls of silver, and a thousand other vessels; 1:11 all the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand four hundred and sixty-nine. All these did Shesh-baz'zar bring up, when the exiles were brought up from Babylonia to Jerusalem. 2:1 Now these were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnez'zar the king of Babylon had carried captive to Babylonia; they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town. 2:2 They came with Zerub'babel, Jeshua, Nehemi'ah, Serai'ah, Re-el-ai'ah, Mor'decai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigva'i, Rehum, and Ba'anah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: 2:3 the sons of Parosh, two thousand one hundred and seventy-two. 2:4 The sons of Shephati'ah, three hundred and seventy-two. 2:5 The sons of Arah, seven hundred and seventy-five. 2:6 The sons of Pa'hath-moab, namely the sons of Jeshua and Jo'ab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve. 2:7 The sons of Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four. 2:8 The sons of Zattu, nine hundred and forty-five. 2:9 The sons of Zac'cai, seven hundred and sixty. 2:10 The sons of Bani, six hundred and forty-two. 2:11 The sons of Be'bai, six hundred and twenty-three. 2:12 The sons of Azgad, one thousand two hundred and twenty-two. 2:13 The sons of Adoni'kam, six hundred and sixty-six. 2:14 The sons of Bigva'i, two thousand and fifty-six. 2:15 The sons of Adin, four hundred and fifty-four. 2:16 The sons of Ater, namely of Hezeki'ah, ninety-eight. 2:17 The sons of Be'zai, three hundred and twenty-three. 2:18 The sons of Jorah, one hundred and twelve. 2:19 The sons of Hashum, two hundred and twenty-three. 2:20 The sons of Gibbar, ninety-five. 2:21 The sons of Bethlehem, one hundred and twenty-three. 2:22 The men of Neto'phah, fifty-six. 2:23 The men of An'athoth, one hundred and twenty-eight. 2:24 The sons of Az'maveth, forty-two. 2:25 The sons of Kir'iathar'im, Chephi'rah, and Be-er'oth, seven hundred and forty-three. 2:26 The sons of Ramah and Geba, six hundred and twenty-one. 2:27 The men of Michmas, one hundred and twenty-two. 2:28 The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three. 2:29 The sons of Nebo, fifty-two. 2:30 The sons of Magbish, one hundred and fifty-six. 2:31 The sons of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four. 2:32 The sons of Harim, three hundred and twenty. 2:33 The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred and twenty-five. 2:34 The sons of Jericho, three hundred and forty-five. 2:35 The sons of Sena'ah, three thousand six hundred and thirty. 2:36 The priests: the sons of Jedai'ah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred and seventy-three. 2:37 The sons of Immer, one thousand and fifty-two. 2:38 The sons of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred and forty-seven. 2:39 The sons of Harim, one thousand and seventeen. 2:40 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua and Kad'mi-el, of the sons of Hodavi'ah, seventy-four. 2:41 The singers: the sons of Asaph, one hundred and twenty-eight. 2:42 The sons of the gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hati'ta, and the sons of Sho'bai, in all one hundred and thirty-nine. 2:43 The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasu'pha, the sons of Tabba'oth, 2:44 the sons of Keros, the sons of Si'aha, the sons of Padon, 2:45 the sons of Leba'nah, the sons of Hag'abah, the sons of Akkub, 2:46 the sons of Hagab, the sons of Shamlai, the sons of Hanan, 2:47 the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, the sons of Re-ai'ah, 2:48 the sons of Rezin, the sons of Neko'da, the sons of Gazzam, 2:49 the sons of Uzza, the sons of Pase'ah, the sons of Besai, 2:50 the sons of Asnah, the sons of Me-u'nim, the sons of Nephi'sim, 2:51 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Haku'pha, the sons of Harhur, 2:52 the sons of Bazluth, the sons of Mehi'da, the sons of Harsha, 2:53 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sis'era, the sons of Temah, 2:54 the sons of Nezi'ah, and the sons of Hati'pha. 2:55 The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of So'tai, the sons of Hasso'phereth, the sons of Peru'da, 2:56 the sons of Ja'alah, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, 2:57 the sons of Shephati'ah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Po'chereth-hazzeba'im, and the sons of Ami. 2:58 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants were three hundred and ninety-two. 2:59 The following were those who came up from Tel-me'lah, Tel-har'sha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, though they could not prove their fathers' houses or their descent, whether they belonged to Israel: 2:60 the sons of Delai'ah, the sons of Tobi'ah, and the sons of Neko'da, six hundred and fifty-two. 2:61 Also, of the sons of the priests: the sons of Habai'ah, the sons of Hakkoz, and the sons of Barzil'lai (who had taken a wife from the daughters of Barzil'lai the Gileadite, and was called by their name). 2:62 These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but they were not found there, and so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean; 2:63 the governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food, until there should be a priest to consult Urim and Thummim. 2:64 The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty, 2:65 besides their menservants and maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven; and they had two hundred male and female singers. 2:66 Their horses were seven hundred and thirty-six, their mules were two hundred and forty-five, 2:67 their camels were four hundred and thirty-five, and their asses were six thousand seven hundred and twenty. 2:68 Some of the heads of families, when they came to the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem, made freewill offerings for the house of God, to erect it on its site; 2:69 according to their ability they gave to the treasury of the work sixty-one thousand darics of gold, five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priests' garments. 2:70 The priests, the Levites, and some of the people lived in Jerusalem and its vicinity; and the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants lived in their towns, and all Israel in their towns. 3:1 When the seventh month came, and the sons of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem. 3:2 Then arose Jeshua the son of Jo'zadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerub'babel the son of She-al'ti-el with his kinsmen, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings upon it, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. 3:3 They set the altar in its place, for fear was upon them because of the peoples of the lands, and they offered burnt offerings upon it to the LORD, burnt offerings morning and evening. 3:4 And they kept the feast of booths, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the ordinance, as each day required, 3:5 and after that the continual burnt offerings, the offerings at the new moon and at all the appointed feasts of the LORD, and the offerings of every one who made a freewill offering to the LORD. 3:6 From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. 3:7 So they gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the Sido'nians and the Tyrians to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant which they had from Cyrus king of Persia. 3:8 Now in the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerub'babel the son of She-al'ti-el and Jeshua the son of Jo'zadak made a beginning, together with the rest of their brethren, the priests and the Levites and all who had come to Jerusalem from the captivity. They appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to have the oversight of the work of the house of the LORD. 3:9 And Jeshua with his sons and his kinsmen, and Kad'mi-el and his sons, the sons of Judah, together took the oversight of the workmen in the house of God, along with the sons of Hen'adad and the Levites, their sons and kinsmen. 3:10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the LORD, according to the directions of David king of Israel; 3:11 and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever toward Israel." And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. 3:12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy; 3:13 so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people's weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard afar. 4:1 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the LORD, the God of Israel, 4:2 they approached Zerub'babel and the heads of fathers' houses and said to them, "Let us build with you; for we worship your God as you do, and we have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of E'sar-had'don king of Assyria who brought us here." 4:3 But Zerub'babel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers' houses in Israel said to them, "You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we alone will build to the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us."

4:4 Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah, and made them afraid to build, 4:5 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshaz'zar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision. 10:2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. 10:3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. 10:4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, that is, the Tigris, 10:5 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with gold of Uphaz. 10:6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the noise of a multitude. 10:7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 10:8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me; my radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. 10:9 Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in a deep sleep with my face to the ground. 10:10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 10:11 And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, give heed to the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood up trembling. 10:12 Then he said to me, "Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 10:13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, so I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia 10:14 and came to make you understand what is to befall your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come." 10:15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was dumb. 10:16 And behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, "O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. 10:17 How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me." 10:18 Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me.\ 10:18 \10:19\And he said, "O man greatly beloved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage." And when he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me." 10:19 \10:20\Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I am through with him, lo, the prince of Greece will come. 10:20 \10:21\But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince. 11:1 And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him. 11:2 "And now I will show you the truth. Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia; and a fourth shall be far richer than all of them; and when he has become strong through his riches, he shall stir up all against the kingdom of Greece. 11:3 Then a mighty king shall arise, who shall rule with great dominion and do according to his will. 11:4 And when he has arisen, his kingdom shall be broken and divided toward the four winds of heaven, but not to his posterity, nor according to the dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be plucked up and go to others besides these. 11:5 "Then the king of the south shall be strong, but one of his princes shall be stronger than he and his dominion shall be a great dominion. 11:6 After some years they shall make an alliance, and the daughter of the king of the south shall come to the king of the north to make peace; but she shall not retain the strength of her arm, and he and his offspring shall not endure; but she shall be given up, and her attendants, her child, and he who got possession of her. 11:7 "In those times a branch from her roots shall arise in his place; he shall come against the army and enter the fortress of the king of the north, and he shall deal with them and shall prevail. 11:8 He shall also carry off to Egypt their gods with their molten images and with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and for some years he shall refrain from attacking the king of the north. 11:9 Then the latter shall come into the realm of the king of the south but shall return into his own land. 11:10 "His sons shall wage war and assemble a multitude of great forces, which shall come on and overflow and pass through, and again shall carry the war as far as his fortress. 11:11 Then the king of the south, moved with anger, shall come out and fight with the king of the north; and he shall raise a great multitude, but it shall be given into his hand. 11:12 And when the multitude is taken, his heart shall be exalted, and he shall cast down tens of thousands, but he shall not prevail. 11:13 For the king of the north shall again raise a multitude, greater than the former; and after some years he shall come on with a great army and abundant supplies. 11:14 "In those times many shall rise against the king of the south; and the men of violence among your own people shall lift themselves up in order to fulfil the vision; but they shall fail. 11:15 Then the king of the north shall come and throw up siegeworks, and take a well-fortified city. And the forces of the south shall not stand, or even his picked troops, for there shall be no strength to stand. 11:16 But he who comes against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him; and he shall stand in the glorious land, and all of it shall be in his power. 11:17 He shall set his face to come with the strength of his whole kingdom, and he shall bring terms of peace and perform them. He shall give him the daughter of women to destroy the kingdom; but it shall not stand or be to his advantage. 11:18 Afterward he shall turn his face to the coastlands, and shall take many of them; but a commander shall put an end to his insolence; indeed he shall turn his insolence back upon him. 11:19 Then he shall turn his face back toward the fortresses of his own land; but he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found. 11:20 "Then shall arise in his place one who shall send an exactor of tribute through the glory of the kingdom; but within a few days he shall be broken, neither in anger nor in battle. 11:21 In his place shall arise a contemptible person to whom royal majesty has not been given; he shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. 11:22 Armies shall be utterly swept away before him and broken, and the prince of the covenant also. 11:23 And from the time that an alliance is made with him he shall act deceitfully; and he shall become strong with a small people. 11:24 Without warning he shall come into the richest parts of the province; and he shall do what neither his fathers nor his fathers' fathers have done, scattering among them plunder, spoil, and goods. He shall devise plans against strongholds, but only for a time. 11:25 And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall wage war with an exceedingly great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for plots shall be devised against him. 11:26 Even those who eat his rich food shall be his undoing; his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. 11:27 And as for the two kings, their minds shall be bent on mischief; they shall speak lies at the same table, but to no avail; for the end is yet to be at the time appointed. 11:28 And he shall return to his land with great substance, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. And he shall work his will, and return to his own land. 11:29 "At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south; but it shall not be this time as it was before. 11:30 For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and give heed to those who forsake the holy covenant. 11:31 Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the continual burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate. 11:32 He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant; but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. 11:33 And those among the people who are wise shall make many understand, though they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder, for some days. 11:34 When they fall, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery; 11:35 and some of those who are wise shall fall, to refine and to cleanse them and to make them white, until the time of the end, for it is yet for the time appointed. 11:36 "And the king shall do according to his will; he shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is determined shall be done. 11:37 He shall give no heed to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women; he shall not give heed to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all. 11:38 He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these; a god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 11:39 He shall deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god; those who acknowledge him he shall magnify with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price. 11:40 "At the time of the end the king of the south shall attack him; but the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall come into countries and shall overflow and pass through. 11:41 He shall come into the glorious land. And tens of thousands shall fall, but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites. 11:42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 11:43 He shall become ruler of the treasures of gold and of silver, and all the precious things of Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall follow in his train. 11:44 But tidings from the east and the north shall alarm him, and he shall go forth with great fury to exterminate and utterly destroy many. 11:45 And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him. 12:1 "At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time; but at that time your people shall be delivered, every one whose name shall be found written in the book. 12:2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 12:3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. 12:4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." 12:5 Then I Daniel looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. 12:6 And I said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, "How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?" 12:7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven; and I heard him swear by him who lives for ever that it would be for a time, two times, and half a time; and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be accomplished. 12:8 I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, "O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things?" 12:9 He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 12:10 Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but those who are wise shall understand. 12:11 And from the time that the continual burnt offering is taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12:12 Blessed is he who waits and comes to the thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. 12:13 But go your way till the end; and you shall rest, and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days."

4:6 And in the reign of Ahasu-e'rus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. 4:7 And in the days of Ar-ta-xerx'es, Bishlam and Mith'redath and Tab'eel and the rest of their associates wrote to Ar-ta-xerx'es king of Persia; the letter was written in Aramaic and translated. 4:8 Rehum the commander and Shim'shai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Ar-ta-xerx'es the king as follows-- 4:9 then wrote Rehum the commander, Shim'shai the scribe, and the rest of their associates, the judges, the governors, the officials, the Persians, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites, 4:10 and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnap'par deported and settled in the cities of Sama'ria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River, and now 4:11 this is a copy of the letter that they sent--"To Ar-ta-xerx'es the king: Your servants, the men of the province Beyond the River, send greeting. And now 4:12 be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city; they are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. 4:13 Now be it known to the king that, if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be impaired. 4:14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to witness the king's dishonor, therefore we send and inform the king, 4:15 in order that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. You will find in the book of the records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and that sedition was stirred up in it from of old. That was why this city was laid waste. 4:16 We make known to the king that, if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River." 4:17 The king sent an answer: "To Rehum the commander and Shim'shai the scribe and the rest of their associates who live in Sama'ria and in the rest of the province Beyond the River, greeting. And now 4:18 the letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me. 4:19 And I made a decree, and search has been made, and it has been found that this city from of old has risen against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. 4:20 And mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, who ruled over the whole province Beyond the River, to whom tribute, custom, and toll were paid. 4:21 Therefore make a decree that these men be made to cease, and that this city be not rebuilt, until a decree is made by me. 4:22 And take care not to be slack in this matter; why should damage grow to the hurt of the king?" 4:23 Then, when the copy of King Ar-ta-xerx'es' letter was read before Rehum and Shim'shai the scribe and their associates, they went in haste to the Jews at Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease. 4:24 Then the work on the house of God which is in Jerusalem stopped; and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia. 5:1 Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechari'ah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. 5:2 Then Zerub'babel the son of She-al'ti-el and Jeshua the son of Jo'zadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them. 5:3 At the same time Tat'tenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and She'thar-boz'enai and their associates came to them and spoke to them thus, "Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?" 5:4 They also asked them this, "What are the names of the men who are building this building?" 5:5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them till a report should reach Darius and then answer be returned by letter concerning it. 5:6 The copy of the letter which Tat'tenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and She'thar-boz'enai and his associates the governors who were in the province Beyond the River sent to Darius the king; 5:7 they sent him a report, in which was written as follows: "To Darius the king, all peace. 5:8 Be it known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with huge stones, and timber is laid in the walls; this work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands. 5:9 Then we asked those elders and spoke to them thus, 'Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?' 5:10 We also asked them their names, for your information, that we might write down the names of the men at their head. 5:11 And this was their reply to us: 'We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the house that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished. 5:12 But because our fathers had angered the God of heaven, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnez'zar king of Babylon, the Chalde'an, who destroyed this house and carried away the people to Babylonia. 5:13 However in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree that this house of God should be rebuilt. 5:14 And the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnez'zar had taken out of the temple that was in Jerusalem and brought into the temple of Babylon, these Cyrus the king took out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one whose name was Shesh-baz'zar, whom he had made governor; 5:15 and he said to him, "Take these vessels, go and put them in the temple which is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be rebuilt on its site." 5:16 Then this Shesh-baz'zar came and laid the foundations of the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and from that time until now it has been in building, and it is not yet finished.' 5:17 Therefore, if it seem good to the king, let search be made in the royal archives there in Babylon, to see whether a decree was issued by Cyrus the king for the rebuilding of this house of God in Jerusalem. And let the king send us his pleasure in this matter." 6:1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in Babylonia, in the house of the archives where the documents were stored. 6:2 And in Ecbat'ana, the capital which is in the province of Media, a scroll was found on which this was written: "A record. 6:3 In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king issued a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be rebuilt, the place where sacrifices are offered and burnt offerings are brought; its height shall be sixty cubits and its breadth sixty cubits, 6:4 with three courses of great stones and one course of timber; let the cost be paid from the royal treasury. 6:5 And also let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnez'zar took out of the temple that is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought back to the temple which is in Jerusalem, each to its place; you shall put them in the house of God." 6:6 "Now therefore, Tat'tenai, governor of the province Beyond the River, She'thar-boz'enai, and your associates the governors who are in the province Beyond the River, keep away; 6:7 let the work on this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. 6:8 Moreover I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God; the cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River. 6:9 And whatever is needed--young bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require--let that be given to them day by day without fail, 6:10 that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons. 6:11 Also I make a decree that if any one alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be impaled upon it, and his house shall be made a dunghill. 6:12 May the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow any king or people that shall put forth a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius make a decree; let it be done with all diligence." 6:13 Then, according to the word sent by Darius the king, Tat'tenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, She'thar-boz'enai, and their associates did with all diligence what Darius the king had ordered.

1:1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet to Zerub'babel the son of She-al'ti-el, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehoz'adak, the high priest, 1:2 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: This people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD." 1:3 Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, 1:4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? 1:5 Now therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider how you have fared. 1:6 You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes. 1:7 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider how you have fared. 1:8 Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may appear in my glory, says the LORD. 1:9 You have looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? says the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while you busy yourselves each with his own house. 1:10 Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. 1:11 And I have called for a drought upon the land and the hills, upon the grain, the new wine, the oil, upon what the ground brings forth, upon men and cattle, and upon all their labors." 1:12 Then Zerub'babel the son of She-al'ti-el, and Joshua the son of Jehoz'adak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him; and the people feared before the LORD. 1:13 Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD's message, "I am with you, says the LORD." 1:14 And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerub'babel the son of She-al'ti-el, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehoz'adak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, 1:15 on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month. In the second year of Darius the king, 2:1 in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, 2:2 "Speak now to Zerub'babel the son of She-al'ti-el, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehoz'adak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, 2:3 'Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not in your sight as nothing? 2:4 Yet now take courage, O Zerub'babel, says the LORD; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehoz'adak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, 2:5 according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit abides among you; fear not. 2:6 For thus says the LORD of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; 2:7 and I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the LORD of hosts. 2:8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts. 2:9 The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts.'"

1:1 In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechari'ah the son of Berechi'ah, son of Iddo, the prophet, saying, 1:2 "The LORD was very angry with your fathers. 1:3 Therefore say to them, Thus says the LORD of hosts: Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. 1:4 Be not like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.' But they did not hear or heed me, says the LORD. 1:5 Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live for ever? 1:6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? So they repented and said, As the LORD of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us."

2:10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, 2:11 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask the priests to decide this question, 2:12 'If one carries holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and touches with his skirt bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any kind of food, does it become holy?'" The priests answered, "No." 2:13 Then said Haggai, "If one who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?" The priests answered, "It does become unclean." 2:14 Then Haggai said, "So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, says the LORD; and so with every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean. 2:15 Pray now, consider what will come to pass from this day onward. Before a stone was placed upon a stone in the temple of the LORD, 2:16 how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten; when one came to the winevat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. 2:17 I smote you and all the products of your toil with blight and mildew and hail; yet you did not return to me, says the LORD. 2:18 Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid, consider: 2:19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Do the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree still yield nothing? From this day on I will bless you."

2:20 The word of the LORD came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, 2:21 "Speak to Zerub'babel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, 2:22 and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders; and the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his fellow. 2:23 On that day, says the LORD of hosts, I will take you, O Zerub'babel my servant, the son of She-al'ti-el, says the LORD, and make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you, says the LORD of hosts."

1:7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month which is the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechari'ah the son of Berechi'ah, son of Iddo, the prophet; and Zechari'ah said, 1:8 "I saw in the night, and behold, a man riding upon a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in the glen; and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses. 1:9 Then I said, 'What are these, my lord?' The angel who talked with me said to me, 'I will show you what they are.' 1:10 So the man who was standing among the myrtle trees answered, 'These are they whom the LORD has sent to patrol the earth.' 1:11 And they answered the angel of the LORD who was standing among the myrtle trees, 'We have patrolled the earth, and behold, all the earth remains at rest.' 1:12 Then the angel of the LORD said, 'O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou have no mercy on Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these seventy years?' 1:13 And the LORD answered gracious and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. 1:14 So the angel who talked with me said to me, 'Cry out, Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am exceedingly jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion. 1:15 And I am very angry with the nations that are at ease; for while I was angry but a little they furthered the disaster. 1:16 Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with compassion; my house shall be built in it, says the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem. 1:17 Cry again, Thus says the LORD of hosts: My cities shall again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.'" 2:1 \1:18\And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four horns! 2:2 \1:19\And I said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these?" And he answered me, "These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem." 2:3 \1:20\Then the LORD showed me four smiths. 2:4 \1:21\And I said, "What are these coming to do?" He answered, "These are the horns which scattered Judah, so that no man raised his head; and these have come to terrify them, to cast down the horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter it." 2:5 \2:1\And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand! 2:6 \2:2\Then I said, "Where are you going?" And he said to me, "To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its breadth and what is its length." 2:7 \2:3\And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him, 2:8 \2:4\and said to him, "Run, say to that young man, 'Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of men and cattle in it. 2:9 \2:5\For I will be to her a wall of fire round about, says the LORD, and I will be the glory within her.'" 2:10 \2:6\Ho! ho! Flee from the land of the north, says the LORD; for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, says the LORD. 2:11 \2:7\Ho! Escape to Zion, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon. 2:12 \2:8\For thus said the LORD of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye: 2:13 \2:9\"Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me. 2:14 \2:10\Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for lo, I come and I will dwell in the midst of you, says the LORD. 2:15 \2:11\And many nations shall join themselves to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. 2:16 \2:12\And the LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem." 2:17 \2:13\Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD; for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling. 3:1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. 3:2 And the LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?" 3:3 Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. 3:4 And the angel said to those who were standing before him, "Remove the filthy garments from him." And to him he said, "Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with rich apparel." 3:5 And I said, "Let them put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments; and the angel of the LORD was standing by. 3:6 And the angel of the LORD enjoined Joshua, 3:7 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. 3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who sit before you, for they are men of good omen: behold, I will bring my servant the Branch. 3:9 For behold, upon the stone which I have set before Joshua, upon a single stone with seven facets, I will engrave its inscription, says the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the guilt of this land in a single day. 3:10 In that day, says the LORD of hosts, every one of you will invite his neighbor under his vine and under his fig tree." 4:1 And the angel who talked with me came again, and waked me, like a man that is wakened out of his sleep. 4:2 And he said to me, "What do you see?" I said, "I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps which are on the top of it. 4:3 And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left." 4:4 And I said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?" 4:5 Then the angel who talked with me answered me, "Do you not know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord." 4:6 Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerub'babel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. 4:7 What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerub'babel you shall become a plain; and he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of 'Grace, grace to it!'" 4:8 Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 4:9 "The hands of Zerub'babel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. 4:10 For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerub'babel. "These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range through the whole earth." 4:11 Then I said to him, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?" 4:12 And a second time I said to him, "What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the oil is poured out?" 4:13 He said to me, "Do you not know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord." 4:14 Then he said, "These are the two anointed who stand by the Lord of the whole earth." 5:1 Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a flying scroll! 5:2 And he said to me, "What do you see?" I answered, "I see a flying scroll; its length is twenty cubits, and its breadth ten cubits." 5:3 Then he said to me, "This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land; for every one who steals shall be cut off henceforth according to it, and every one who swears falsely shall be cut off henceforth according to it. 5:4 I will send it forth, says the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter the house of the thief, and the house of him who swears falsely by my name; and it shall abide in his house and consume it, both timber and stones." 5:5 Then the angel who talked with me came forward and said to me, "Lift your eyes, and see what this is that goes forth." 5:6 And I said, "What is it?" He said, "This is the ephah that goes forth." And he said, "This is their iniquity in all the land." 5:7 And behold, the leaden cover was lifted, and there was a woman sitting in the ephah! 5:8 And he said, "This is Wickedness." And he thrust her back into the ephah, and thrust down the leaden weight upon its mouth. 5:9 Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, two women coming forward! The wind was in their wings; they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the ephah between earth and heaven. 5:10 Then I said to the angel who talked with me, "Where are they taking the ephah?" 5:11 He said to me, "To the land of Shinar, to build a house for it; and when this is prepared, they will set the ephah down there on its base." 6:1 And again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, four chariots came out from between two mountains; and the mountains were mountains of bronze. 6:2 The first chariot had red horses, the second black horses, 6:3 the third white horses, and the fourth chariot dappled gray horses. 6:4 Then I said to the angel who talked with me, "What are these, my lord?" 6:5 And the angel answered me, "These are going forth to the four winds of heaven, after presenting themselves before the LORD of all the earth. 6:6 The chariot with the black horses goes toward the north country, the white ones go toward the west country, and the dappled ones go toward the south country." 6:7 When the steeds came out, they were impatient to get off and patrol the earth. And he said, "Go, patrol the earth." So they patrolled the earth. 6:8 Then he cried to me, "Behold, those who go toward the north country have set my Spirit at rest in the north country." 6:9 And the word of the LORD came to me: 6:10 "Take from the exiles Heldai, Tobi'jah, and Jedai'ah, who have arrived from Babylon; and go the same day to the house of Josi'ah, the son of Zephani'ah. 6:11 Take from them silver and gold, and make a crown, and set it upon the head of Joshua, the son of Jehoz'adak, the high priest; 6:12 and say to him, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall grow up in his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD. 6:13 It is he who shall build the temple of the LORD, and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule upon his throne. And there shall be a priest by his throne, and peaceful understanding shall be between them both."' 6:14 And the crown shall be in the temple of the LORD as a reminder to Heldai, Tobi'jah, Jedai'ah, and Josi'ah the son of Zephani'ah. 6:15 "And those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the LORD; and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God."

7:1 In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechari'ah in the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev. 7:2 Now the people of Bethel had sent Share'zer and Reg'em-mel'ech and their men, to entreat the favor of the LORD, 7:3 and to ask the priests of the house of the LORD of hosts and the prophets, "Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?" 7:4 Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me; 7:5 "Say to all the people of the land and the priests, When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted? 7:6 And when you eat and when you drink, do you not eat for yourselves and drink for yourselves? 7:7 When Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, with her cities round about her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited, were not these the words which the LORD proclaimed by the former prophets?" 7:8 And the word of the LORD came to Zechari'ah, saying, 7:9 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy each to his brother, 7:10 do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor; and let none of you devise evil against his brother in your heart." 7:11 But they refused to hearken, and turned a stubborn shoulder, and stopped their ears that they might not hear. 7:12 They made their hearts like adamant lest they should hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts. 7:13 "As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear," says the LORD of hosts, 7:14 "and I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they had not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went to and fro, and the pleasant land was made desolate." 8:1 And the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, 8:2 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. 8:3 Thus says the LORD: I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain. 8:4 Thus says the LORD of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand for very age. 8:5 And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. 8:6 Thus says the LORD of hosts: If it is marvelous in the sight of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvelous in my sight, says the LORD of hosts? 8:7 Thus says the LORD of hosts: Behold, I will save my people from the east country and from the west country; 8:8 and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be my people and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness." 8:9 Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Let your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of the prophets, since the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built. 8:10 For before those days there was no wage for man or any wage for beast, neither was there any safety from the foe for him who went out or came in; for I set every man against his fellow. 8:11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, says the LORD of hosts. 8:12 For there shall be a sowing of peace; the vine shall yield its fruit, and the ground shall give its increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. 8:13 And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong." 8:14 For thus says the LORD of hosts: "As I purposed to do evil to you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent, says the LORD of hosts, 8:15 so again have I purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; fear not. 8:16 These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace, 8:17 do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, says the LORD." 8:18 And the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, 8:19 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love truth and peace. 8:20 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities; 8:21 the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, 'Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts; I am going.' 8:22 Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favor of the LORD. 8:23 Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'"

6:14 And the elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechari'ah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by command of the God of Israel and by decree of Cyrus and Darius and Ar-ta-xerx'es king of Persia; 6:15 and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. 6:16 And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. 6:17 They offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel twelve he-goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. 6:18 And they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God at Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses. 6:19 On the fourteenth day of the first month the returned exiles kept the passover. 6:20 For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; all of them were clean. So they killed the passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves; 6:21 it was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and also by every one who had joined them and separated himself from the pollutions of the peoples of the land to worship the LORD, the God of Israel. 6:22 And they kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy; for the LORD had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

78:1 A Maskil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, 78:3 things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. 78:4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders which he has wrought. 78:5 He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children; 78:6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, 78:7 so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; 78:8 and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God. 78:9 The E'phraimites, armed with the bow, turned back on the day of battle. 78:10 They did not keep God's covenant, but refused to walk according to his law. 78:11 They forgot what he had done, and the miracles that he had shown them. 78:12 In the sight of their fathers he wrought marvels in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zo'an. 78:13 He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap. 78:14 In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a fiery light. 78:15 He cleft rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep. 78:16 He made streams come out of the rock, and caused waters to flow down like rivers. 78:17 Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. 78:18 They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. 78:19 They spoke against God, saying, "Can God spread a table in the wilderness? 78:20 He smote the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he also give bread, or provide meat for his people?" 78:21 Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob, his anger mounted against Israel; 78:22 because they had no faith in God, and did not trust his saving power. 78:23 Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven; 78:24 and he rained down upon them manna to eat, and gave them the grain of heaven. 78:25 Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance. 78:26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, and by his power he led out the south wind; 78:27 he rained flesh upon them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas; 78:28 he let them fall in the midst of their camp, all around their habitations. 78:29 And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved. 78:30 But before they had sated their craving, while the food was still in their mouths, 78:31 the anger of God rose against them and he slew the strongest of them, and laid low the picked men of Israel. 78:32 In spite of all this they still sinned; despite his wonders they did not believe. 78:33 So he made their days vanish like a breath, and their years in terror. 78:34 When he slew them, they sought for him; they repented and sought God earnestly. 78:35 They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer. 78:36 But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues. 78:37 Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not true to his covenant. 78:38 Yet he, being compassionate, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often, and did not stir up all his wrath. 78:39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again. 78:40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert! 78:41 They tested him again and again, and provoked the Holy One of Israel. 78:42 They did not keep in mind his power, or the day when he redeemed them from the foe; 78:43 when he wrought his signs in Egypt, and his miracles in the fields of Zo'an. 78:44 He turned their rivers to blood, so that they could not drink of their streams. 78:45 He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them, and frogs, which destroyed them. 78:46 He gave their crops to the caterpillar, and the fruit of their labor to the locust. 78:47 He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamores with frost. 78:48 He gave over their cattle to the hail, and their flocks to thunderbolts. 78:49 He let loose on them his fierce anger, wrath, indignation, and distress, a company of destroying angels. 78:50 He made a path for his anger; he did not spare them from death, but gave their lives over to the plague. 78:51 He smote all the first-born in Egypt, the first issue of their strength in the tents of Ham. 78:52 Then he led forth his people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. 78:53 He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid; but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. 78:54 And he brought them to his holy land, to the mountain which his right hand had won. 78:55 He drove out nations before them; he apportioned them for a possession and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents. 78:56 Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God, and did not observe his testimonies, 78:57 but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers; they twisted like a deceitful bow. 78:58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places; they moved him to jealousy with their graven images. 78:59 When God heard, he was full of wrath, and he utterly rejected Israel. 78:60 He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh, the tent where he dwelt among men, 78:61 and delivered his power to captivity, his glory to the hand of the foe. 78:62 He gave his people over to the sword, and vented his wrath on his heritage. 78:63 Fire devoured their young men, and their maidens had no marriage song. 78:64 Their priests fell by the sword, and their widows made no lamentation. 78:65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a strong man shouting because of wine. 78:66 And he put his adversaries to rout; he put them to everlasting shame. 78:67 He rejected the tent of Joseph, he did not choose the tribe of E'phraim; 78:68 but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loves. 78:69 He built his sanctuary like the high heavens, like the earth, which he has founded for ever. 78:70 He chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; 78:71 from tending the ewes that had young he brought him to be the shepherd of Jacob his people, of Israel his inheritance. 78:72 With upright heart he tended them, and guided them with skilful hand.

107:1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever! 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble 107:3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. 107:4 Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; 107:5 hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. 107:6 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; 107:7 he led them by a straight way, till they reached a city to dwell in. 107:8 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to the sons of men! 107:9 For he satisfies him who is thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things. 107:10 Some sat in darkness and in gloom, prisoners in affliction and in irons, 107:11 for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. 107:12 Their hearts were bowed down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help. 107:13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; 107:14 he brought them out of darkness and gloom, and broke their bonds asunder. 107:15 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to the sons of men! 107:16 For he shatters the doors of bronze, and cuts in two the bars of iron. 107:17 Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; 107:18 they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. 107:19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; 107:20 he sent forth his word, and healed them, and delivered them from destruction. 107:21 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to the sons of men! 107:22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy! 107:23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; 107:24 they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep. 107:25 For he commanded, and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. 107:26 They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; 107:27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men, and were at their wits' end. 107:28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; 107:29 he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 107:30 Then they were glad because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. 107:31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to the sons of men! 107:32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. 107:33 He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, 107:34 a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the wickedness of its inhabitants. 107:35 He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. 107:36 And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; 107:37 they sow fields, and plant vineyards, and get a fruitful yield. 107:38 By his blessing they multiply greatly; and he does not let their cattle decrease. 107:39 When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, trouble, and sorrow, 107:40 he pours contempt upon princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; 107:41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction, and makes their families like flocks. 107:42 The upright see it and are glad; and all wickedness stops its mouth. 107:43 Whoever is wise, let him give heed to these things; let men consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

116:1 I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. 116:2 Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. 116:3 The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. 116:4 Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, I beseech thee, save my life!" 116:5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful. 116:6 The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. 116:7 Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. 116:8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; 116:9 I walk before the LORD in the land of the living. 116:10 I kept my faith, even when I said, "I am greatly afflicted"; 116:11 I said in my consternation, "Men are all a vain hope." 116:12 What shall I render to the LORD for all his bounty to me? 116:13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD, 116:14 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. 116:16 O LORD, I am thy servant; I am thy servant, the son of thy handmaid. Thou hast loosed my bonds. 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. 116:18 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people, 116:19 in the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!

125:1 A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides for ever. 125:2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people, from this time forth and for evermore. 125:3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest upon the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous put forth their hands to do wrong. 125:4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! 125:5 But those who turn aside upon their crooked ways the LORD will lead away with evildoers! Peace be in Israel! 

126:1 A Song of Ascents. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. 126:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." 126:3 The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. 126:4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the watercourses in the Negeb! 126:5 May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! 126:6 He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

128:1 A Song of Ascents. Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! 128:2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 128:3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 128:4 Lo, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. 128:5 The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! 128:6 May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel! 129:1 A Song of Ascents. "Sorely have they afflicted me from my youth," let Israel now say-- 129:2 "Sorely have they afflicted me from my youth, yet they have not prevailed against me. 129:3 The plowers plowed upon my back; they made long their furrows." 129:4 The LORD is righteous; he has cut the cords of the wicked. 129:5 May all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned backward! 129:6 Let them be like the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up, 129:7 with which the reaper does not fill his hand or the binder of sheaves his bosom, 129:8 while those who pass by do not say, "The blessing of the LORD be upon you! We bless you in the name of the LORD!"

132:1 Jehovah, remember for David All his affliction; 132:2 How he sware unto Jehovah, And vowed unto the Mighty One of Jacob: 132:3 Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, Nor go up into my bed; 132:4 I will not give sleep to mine eyes, Or slumber to mine eyelids; 132:5 Until I find out a place for Jehovah, A tabernacle for the Mighty One of Jacob. 132:6 Lo, we heard of it in Ephrathah: We found it in the field of the wood. 132:7 We will go into his tabernacles; We will worship at his footstool. 132:8 Arise, O Jehovah, into thy resting-place; Thou, and the ark of thy strength. 132:9 Let thy priest be clothed with righteousness; And let thy saints shout for joy. 132:10 For thy servant David's sake Turn not away the face of thine anointed. 132:11 Jehovah hath sworn unto David in truth; He will not turn from it: Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. 132:12 If thy children will keep my covenant And my testimony that I shall teach them, Their children also shall sit upon thy throne for evermore. 132:13 For Jehovah hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for his habitation. 132:14 This is my resting-place for ever: Here will I dwell; for I have desired it. 132:15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. 132:16 Her priests also will I clothe with salvation; And her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 132:17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. 132:18 His enemies will I clothe with shame; But upon himself shall his crown flourish. Psalms 132:1-132:18 ASV

147:1 Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is seemly. 147:2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. 147:4 He determines the number of the stars, he gives to all of them their names. 147:5 Great is our LORD, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. 147:6 The LORD lifts up the downtrodden, he casts the wicked to the ground. 147:7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God upon the lyre! 147:8 He covers the heavens with clouds, he prepares rain for the earth, he makes grass grow upon the hills. 147:9 He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens which cry. 147:10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man; 147:11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. 147:12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! 147:13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your sons within you. 147:14 He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat. 147:15 He sends forth his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. 147:16 He gives snow like wool; he scatters hoarfrost like ashes. 147:17 He casts forth his ice like morsels; who can stand before his cold? 147:18 He sends forth his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow. 147:19 He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and ordinances to Israel. 147:20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his ordinances. Praise the LORD!