Ezra 3 (résumé): Rebuilding the altar & the temple

The Israelites assembled in Jerusalem and Joshua son of Jozadak and Zerubbabel began to build the altar for burnt offerings, and once built they started offering sacrifices morning and evening and then they celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles. After this they resumed regular sacrifices according to the law of Moses even though the temple was not yet rebuilt.

Then they paid the masons and carpenters to rebuild the temple and organized the bringing of cedar logs from Lebanon as authorized by King Cyrus of Persia. Then they started the rebuilding of the temple supervised by the Levites. When the foundations were laid the priests and Levites praised the Lord saying: He is good; his love towards Israel endures for ever! Then all the people gave a great shout because the foundations had been laid. The older priests and Levites wept whilst others shouted for joy making a noise that could be heard afar off.