now

¶ Now in the first yeere of Cyrus King of Persia, (that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Ieremiah, might be fulfilled) y e LORD stirred vp the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdome, and put it also in writing, saying;

1611 marginal noteHeb. caused a voice to passe.

1611 marginal note2.Chron. 36.22. iere. 25.12. and 29.10.

¶ Now these are the children of the prouince, that went vp out of the captiuitie, of those which had beene caried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon had caried away vnto Babylon, and came againe vnto Ierusalem and Iudah, euery one vnto his citie;

1611 marginal noteNehem. 7.6. &c.

¶ Now in the second yere of their coming vnto the house of God at Ierusalem, in the second moneth, began Zerubbabel the sonne of Shealtiel, and Ieshua the sonne of Iozadak, and the remnant of their brethren, the Priests and the Leuites, and all they that were come out of the captiuitie vnto Ierusalem: and appointed the Leuites, from twentie yeeres olde and vpward, to set forward the worke of the house of the LORD.

¶ Now when the aduersaries of Iudah and Beniamin, heard that the children of the captiuitie builded the Temple vnto the LORD God of Israel:

1611 marginal noteHebr. the sonnes of the transportation.

Be it knowen now vnto the king, that if this city be builded, and the wals set vp againe, then will they not pay tolle, tribute, and custome, and so thou shalt endammage the reuenue of the kings.

1611 marginal noteChal. giue.

1611 marginal noteOr, strength.

Now because we haue maintenance from the Kings palace, and it was not meete for vs to see the kings dishonour: therefore haue we sent, and certified the king,

1611 marginal noteChal. we are salted with the salt of the palace.

Giue ye now commandement, to cause these men to cease, and that this citie be not builded, vntill another commandement shall be giuen from me.

1611 marginal noteChal. make a decree.

Take heed now that ye faile not to doe this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

¶ Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went vp in haste to Ierusalem, vnto the Iewes, and made them to cease, by force and power.

1611 marginal noteChald. by arme and power.

Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God, which is in Ierusalem. And since that time, euen vntill now, hath it bin in building, & yet it is not finished.