67
When they learned that those who had returned from exile were rebuilding the Temple of the Lord, the God of Israel,
68
they went to Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the heads of the clans and said, "Let us join you in building the Temple.
69
We worship the same Lord you worship and we have been offering sacrifices to him ever since Emperor Esarhaddon of Assyria sent us here to live."
70
Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the heads of the clans told them, "We don't need your help in building the Temple for the Lord our God.
71
We will build it ourselves, just as Emperor Cyrus of Persia commanded us."