"Thenwe askedthoseeldersand saidto them thus,'Whoissuedyou a decreeto rebuildthistempleand to finishthisstructure?'
let it be knownto the kingthat the Jewswhocameup from you have cometo us at Jerusalem;they are rebuildingthe rebelliousand evilcityand are finishingthe wallsand repairingthe foundations.
"We alsoaskedthem their namesso as to informyou, and that we might writedownthe namesof the menwhowere at their head.
"Let it be knownto the kingthat we have goneto the provinceof Judah,to the houseof the greatGod,whichis being builtwith hugestones,and beamsare being laidin the walls;and thisworkis goingon with greatcareand is succeedingin their hands.
