³ But Zerubbabel, Joshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered, “You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.”^(A)

Priests and Levites

12 These were the priests^(A) and Levites^(B) who returned with Zerubbabel^(C) son of Shealtiel^(D) and with Joshua:^(E)

⁸ The Levites were Jeshua,^(A) Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and also Mattaniah,^(B) who, together with his associates, was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving.

A Call to Build the House of the Lord

1 In the second year of King Darius,^(A) on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai^(B) to Zerubbabel^(C) son of Shealtiel, governor^(D) of Judah, and to Joshua^(E) son of Jozadak,^[a](F) the high priest:^(G)

² “Speak to Zerubbabel^(A) son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak,^[a](B) the high priest, and to the remnant^(C) of the people. Ask them,