²⁴ then ceased the service of the house of God that `is' in Jerusalem, and it ceased till the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

¹⁵ in the twenty and fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

⁵ And the eye of their God hath been upon the elders of the Jews, and they have not caused them to cease till the matter goeth to Darius, and then they send back a letter concerning this thing.

¹ Then Darius the king made a decree, and they sought in the house of the books of the treasuries placed there in Babylon,

³ And I send unto them messengers, saying, `A great work I am doing, and I am not able to come down; why doth the work cease when I let it alone, and have come down unto you?'

⁹ for all of them are making us afraid, saying, `Their hands are too feeble for the work, and it is not done;' and now, strengthen Thou my hands.

⁵ That the singing of the wicked `is' short, And the joy of the profane for a moment,

¹⁸ wherefore we wished to come unto you, (I indeed Paul,) both once and again, and the Adversary did hinder us;