3. At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?

4. Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?

5. But the eye of their Elohim was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this.

6. The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:

7. They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace.

8. Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great Elohim, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.

9. Then asked we those elders, said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?

10. We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that the chief of them.

11. And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the Elohim of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.

12. But after that our fathers had provoked the Elohim of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.