6. The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side of the river, and Shethar-boznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, who were on this side of the river, sent to Darius the king:
7. They sent a letter to him, in which was written thus; To Darius the king, all peace.
8. Be it known to the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is built with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work proceedeth rapidly, and prospereth in their hands.
9. Then we asked those elders, and said to them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to erect these walls?
10. We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
11. And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was erected these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and set up.