7
They sent him a report, written as follows: To King Darius: All greetings.
8
Let it be known to the king that we went to the house of the great God in the province of Judah. It is being built with cut stones, and its beams are being set in the walls. This work is being done diligently and succeeding through the people's efforts.
9
So we questioned the elders and asked, "Who gave you the order to rebuild this temple and finish this structure?"
10
We also asked them for their names, so that we could write down the names of their leaders for your information.
11
This is the reply they gave us: We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth and are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished.