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Here is a copy of the letter that Sisinnes, the commander of Syria and Phoenicia, Sathrabuzanes, and their associates, the local officials in Syria and Phoenicia, wrote to Darius:
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To King Darius. Greetings. Our master the king, may you know that when we came to the country of Judea and entered the city of Jerusalem, we found the elders of the Jews, who had been in captivity, building in the city of Jerusalem a large new house for the Lord, of polished stone with costly beams set in the walls.
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These projects are proceeding swiftly, and the overall work is succeeding. They are completing it with brillance and precision.
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So we asked these elders, "By whose command are you building this house and laying the foundations of this project?"
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In order that we might inform you, we questioned them about who the leaders are and demanded a list of the names of the troublemakers.