3. At the same time Tattenai, the governor beyond the River came to them, with Shetharbozenai, and their companions, and asked them, “Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?”
4. They also asked for the names of the men were who were making this building.
5. But the eye of their God was on the Jewish elders, and they didn’t make them cease, until the matter should come to Darius, and an answer should be returned by letter concerning it.
6. The copy of the letter that Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, and Shetharbozenai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were beyond the River, sent to Darius the king follows.
7. They sent a letter to him, in which was written:To Darius the king, all peace.
8. Be it known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on with diligence and prospers in their hands.
9. Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, “Who gave you a decree to build this house, and to finish this wall?”
10. We asked them their names also, to inform you that we might write the names of the men who were at their head.
11. Thus they returned us answer, saying, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished.