4. They also asked, ‘What are the names of those who are constructing this building?’
5. But the eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped until a report could go to Darius and his written reply be received.
6. This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates, the officials of Trans-Euphrates, sent to King Darius.
7. The report they sent him read as follows:To King Darius:Cordial greetings.
8. The king should know that we went to the district of Judah, to the temple of the great God. The people are building it with large stones and placing the timbers in the walls. The work is being carried on with diligence and is making rapid progress under their direction.
9. We questioned the elders and asked them, ‘Who authorised you to rebuild this temple and to finish it?’
10. We also asked them their names, so that we could write down the names of their leaders for your information.