66 When the enemies of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin heard the trumpets, they came to Jerusalem to see what was happening. 67 They found out that the people who had come back from Babylonia were rebuilding the temple of the Lord God of Israel. 68 So they went to Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the family leaders and said, “Let us help! 69 Ever since King Esarhaddon of Assyria brought us here, we have worshiped your Lord and offered sacrifices to him.”

70-71 But Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the family leaders answered, “You cannot take part in building a temple for our God, the Lord of Israel! We will build it ourselves, just as King Cyrus of Persia has commanded us.”

72 But these enemies blocked the roads and did everything else possible to make the people of Judah slow down or stop building. 73 The enemies made secret plans and public speeches accusing the Jews, and they even caused riots. And so, the people of Judah could not work on the temple for the last two years of Cyrus' rule.

Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version ®. Copyright © 1995 American Bible Society. Used by permission.