8
“The king should know that we went to the construction site of the Temple of the great God in the province of Judah. It is being rebuilt with specially prepared stones, and timber is being laid in its walls. The work is going forward with great energy and success.
9
“We asked the leaders, ‘Who gave you permission to rebuild this Temple and restore this structure?’
10
And we demanded their names so that we could tell you who the leaders were.
11
“This was their answer: ‘We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the Temple that was built here many years ago by a great king of Israel.