²⁴ At that time the work on the house of God in Jerusalem stopped and was discontinued until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.

¹⁵ on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month.

The Future Glory of the Temple

In the second year of King Darius,

⁹ for they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, strengthen my hands.

³ So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to come down to you?”

The Decree of Darius

6 Then King Darius made a decree, and they searched the archives where the documents were stored in Babylon.^(A)

⁵ But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them until a report reached Darius and then answer was returned by letter in reply to it.^(A)

¹⁸ For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, wanted to again and again—but Satan blocked our way.^(A)