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24 Then ceased the work of the Beis HaElohim which is at Yerushalayim. So it ceased unto the second year [i.e., 520 B.C.E.] of the reign of Daryavesh (Darius) Melech Paras (Persia).
5 Then the nevi’im, Chaggai HaNavi, and Zecharyah ben Iddo, prophesied unto the Yehudim that were in Yehudah and Yerushalayim in the shem Elohei Yisroel, Who was [in authority] over them.
2 Then rose up Zerubavel ben Sh’altiel, and Yeshua ben Yotzadak, and began to build the Beis Elohim which is at Yerushalayim; and with them were the nevi’im of Elohim helping them.
3 At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor of the province Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], and Shetar-Boznai and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath authorized you to build this Beis [Hamikdash], and to finish this structure?
4 Then said we unto them accordinging what were the shmot of the men that are constructing this building.
5 But the Ayn Eloheihem (Eye of their G-d) was upon the leaders of the Yehudim, that they could not cause them to cease, until the matter came to Daryavesh (Darius); and then answer was returned by letter concerning this matter.
6 The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor of the province Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], and Shetar-Boznai and his companions the envoys which were in the province Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], sent unto Daryavesh (Darius) the Melech [see 6:6];
7 They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus: Unto Daryavesh HaMelech, all Shalom.
8 Be it known unto the Melech, that we went into the province of Yehudah, to the Beis of the great Elohim, which is being built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.
9 Then asked we those leaders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this Beis [Hamikdash], and to restore this structure?
10 We asked their shmot also, to inform thee, that we might write down the shmot of the men that were their heads for thy information.
11 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the avadim of the Elohei Shomayim vAretz, and build the Beis that was built these many years ago, which a great Melech Yisroel built and set up.
12 But because Avoteinu had provoked the Elohei Shomayim unto them into the hand of Nevuchadnetzar Melech Bavel, the Kasdai (Chaldean), who destroyed this Beis, and carried the people away into the Golus of Bavel (Babylon).
13 But in the first year of Koresh (Cyrus) Melech Bavel the same Melech Koresh made a decree to build this Beis Elohim.
14 And the vessels also of zahav and kesef of the Beis Elohim, which Nevuchadnetzar took out of the Heikhal that was in Yerushalayim, and brought into the Heikhal of Babylon, those did Koresh the Melech take out of the Heikhal of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose shem was Sheshbatzar, whom he had made governor;
15 And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, deposit them into the Heikhal that is in Yerushalayim, and let the Beis Elohim be built in its place.
16 Then came the same Sheshbatzar, and laid the foundation of the Beis Elohim which is in Yerushalayim; and since that time even until now hath it been under construction, and yet it is not finished.
17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the Melech, let there be search made in the bais of royal archives, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Koresh (Cyrus) the Melech to build this Beis Elohim at Yerushalayim, and let the Melech send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
6 Then Daryavesh (Darius) the Melech made a decree, and search was made in the bais of the archives, where the treasures were stored in Babylon.
2 And there was found at Achmeta, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a megillah, and therein was a record thus written;
3 In the first year of Koresh the Melech, Koresh the Melech made a decree concerning the Beis Elohim at Yerushalayim, Let the Beis [Hamikdash] be built, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;
4 With three courses of great stones, and a course of new timber; and let the expenses be given out of the Melech’s treasury;
5 And also let the vessels of zahav and kesef of the Beis Elohim, which Nevuchadnetzar took forth out of the Heikhal which is at Yerushalayim, and brought unto Babylon, be returned, and brought again unto the Heikhal which is at Yerushalayim, every one to its place, and deposit them in the Beis Elohim.
6 Now therefore, Tatnai, governor Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], Shetar-Boznai, and your companions the envoys, which were in the province Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], you stay far from there!
7 Let the work of this Beis Elohim alone; let the governor of the Yehudim and the leaders of the Yehudim build this Beis Elohim in its place.
8 Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the leaders of these Yehudim for the building of this Beis Elohim; that of the royal treasuries, even of the revenue of the province Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.
9 And that which they have need of, both young bulls, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the Elohei Shomayim, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the request of the kohanim which are at Yerushalayim, let it be given them day by day without fail;
10 That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the Elohei Shomayim, and pray for the chayyei Melech, and of his banim.
11 Also I have made a decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his bais, and being set up, let him be impaled hanging dead thereon; and let his bais be made a dunghill for this.
12 And the Elohim that hath caused Shmo to dwell there destroy all Melech or Am that shall lift up their hand to alter and to destroy this Beis Elohim which is at Yerushalayim. I Daryavesh have issued a decree; let it be done with speed.
13 Then Tatnai, governor of Beyond-the-River [Euphrates], Shetar-Boznai, and their companions, according to that which Daryavesh the Melech had sent, so they did speedily.
14 And the leaders of the Yehudim built, and they prospered through the prophesying and preaching of Chaggai HaNavi and Zecharyah ben Iddo. And they built, and finished it, according to the commandment of the Elohei Yisroel, and according to the commandment of Koresh (Cyrus), and Daryavesh (Darius), and Artachshasta (Artaxerxes) Melech Paras (Persia).
15 And this Beis [Hamikdash] was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Daryavesh the Melech [i.e., March 12, 515 B.C.E.].
16 And the Bnei Yisroel, the Kohanim, and the Levi’im, and the rest of the Banim of the Golus, kept the dedication of this Beis Elohim with joy.
17 And offered at the dedication of this Beis Elohim one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for kol Yisroel, twelve he-goats, according to the number of the tribes of Yisroel.
18 And they installed the kohanim in their divisions, and the Levi’im in their courses, for the Avodas Elohim, which is at Yerushalayim, as it is written in the Sefer Moshe.
19 And the Banim of the Golus kept the Pesach upon the 14th day of the first month.
20 For the Kohanim and the Levi’im made themselves tahor, all of them were tehorim, and slaughtered the Pesach for all the Banim of the Golus, and for their brethren the Kohanim, and for themselves.
21 And the Bnei Yisroel, which were come again out of Golus, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the tum’a of the Goyim of ha’aretz, to seek Hashem Elohei Yisroel, did eat,
22 And kept the Chag Matzot seven days with simchah; for Hashem had made them joyful, and turned the lev Melech Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the Beis Elohim, Elohei Yisroel.
5 What then is Apollos? And what is Sha’ul? Klei kodesh ministers of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, through whom you came to emunah, even as to each one a task was given by Adoneinu.
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but Hashem gave the increase.
7 Therefore, neither is the one planting anything nor the one watering, but it is the One giving the increase—Hashem!
8 Now the one planting and the one watering are be’ichud (united), and, each one will receive his own sachar (reward) according to his own amal (toil). [TEHILLIM 18:20; 62:12]
9 For we are fellow po’alim (workers) of Hashem, you are the sadeh Hashem (field of G-d), you are Hashem’s binyan (building). [YESHAYAH 61:3]
10 According to the Chen v’Chesed Hashem having been given to me as a bannai chacham (wise builder), I laid a yesod (foundation), and another builds on it. But, let each one beware how he builds on it.
11 For no other yesod other than the one that has been laid can be laid: Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach. [YESHAYAH 28:16]
12 Now if anyone builds on the yesod with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble
13 The ma’aseh (work) of each bannai will become evident, for, haYom [Yom haDin] will make it have its hisgalus, because by Eish (Fire) it is revealed; and the Eish (Fire) itself will test the quality of each one’s ma’aseh. [BAMIDBAR 31:22,23; YIRMEYAH 23:28,29; MALACHI 3:3]
14 If anyone’s ma’aseh he built on the yesod will survive (Yn 15:16), a sachar (reward BERESHIS 15:1) he will receive;
15 If anyone’s ma’aseh will be consumed, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved (Ep 2:8-9), yet so as through Eish (fire).
16 Do you not have da’as that you are a Heikhal Hashem and the Ruach Hakodesh of Hashem dwells in you?
17 If anyone attempts to cause churban to the Heikhal Hashem, G-d will destroy this man, for the Heikhal Hashem is kadosh, and you (pl.) are that Heikhal.
18 Let no one deceive himself: if anyone presumes to be chacham among you in the Olam Hazeh, let him become a kesil (fool), that he may become chacham. [YESHAYAH 5:21]
19 For the chochmah (wisdom) of Olam Hazeh is narrishkait (foolishness) with Hashem. For it has been written, LOCHED CHACHAMIM BE’ARMAM ("He catches the wise in their own craftiness" IYOV 5:13).
20 And again, HASHEM YODE’A MACHSH’VOT ADAM KI HEMAH HEVEL ("The L-rd knows the thoughts of the wise that they are empty vanity"‖TEHILLIM 94:11).
21 So let no one boast in Bnei Adam, for all things belong to you,
22 Whether Sha’ul or Apollos or Kefa or HaOlam (the world) or Chayyim (Life) or Mavet (Death) or things present or things to come; all things are yours,
23 And you are Moshiach’s and Moshiach is G-d’s.
29 (Mizmor of Dovid) Ascribe unto Hashem, O ye bnei elim (sons of the mighty), ascribe unto Hashem kavod and oz (strength).
2 Ascribe unto Hashem the Kavod Shmo; worship Hashem in the Hadrat Kodesh (beauty of holiness).
3 The voice of Hashem is upon the waters; El HaKavod thundereth; Hashem is over the mayim rabbim.
4 The voice of Hashem is in Ko’ach; the voice of Hashem is in hadar (majesty).
5 The voice of Hashem breaketh the cedars; Hashem breaketh the cedars of the Levanon.
6 He maketh them also to skip like an egel (calf); Levanon and Siryon, like a young reimim (wild ox).
7 The voice of Hashem hews out with flashes of eish.
8 The voice of Hashem shaketh the midbar; Hashem shaketh the Midbar Kadesh.
9 The voice of Hashem causes the deer to calve, and strips bare the ye’arot (forests); and in His Heikhal doth everyone say, Kavod!
10 Hashem sitteth upon the mabbul (flood); yea, Hashem sitteth enthroned as Melech l’olam.
11 Hashem will give oz (strength) unto His people; Hashem will bless His people with shalom.
26 A melech chacham winnows out the resha’im and bringeth the ofan (threshing wheel) over them.
27 The neshamah of adam is the ner (light) of Hashem, searching all the innermost beten.
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