⁸ In the second month^(A) of the second year after their arrival at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel^(B) son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak and the rest of the people (the priests and the Levites and all who had returned from the captivity to Jerusalem) began the work. They appointed Levites twenty^(C) years old and older to supervise the building of the house of the Lord.

¹⁰ When the builders laid^(A) the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets,^(B) and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise^(C) the Lord, as prescribed by David^(D) king of Israel.^(E)

Israel’s Restoration

¹¹ “In that day

⁶ So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:^(A) ‘Not^(B) by might nor by power,^(C) but by my Spirit,’^(D) says the Lord Almighty.

⁷ “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground.^(E) Then he will bring out the capstone^(F) to shouts^(G) of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”

⁸ Then the word of the Lord came to me: ⁹ “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation^(H) of this temple; his hands will also complete it.^(I) Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me^(J) to you.