²⁴ Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

¹⁵ In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

⁵ That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

⁹ For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

³ And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

6 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.

⁵ But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.

¹⁸ Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.