5
But the Lord was with the people who had returned from exile and was watching over the Jewish leaders,
6
and they were allowed to continue building until Emperor Darius could be informed and his reply received.
7
Here is the report that the Persian officials sent to the emperor:
8
"To Emperor Darius, greetings. "Your Majesty should know that we went to Judah and to Jerusalem and there we found the leaders of the Jews who have returned from exile
9
building a large new Temple for the Lord with expensive, shaped stone blocks and with wooden beams set in the walls.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.