1 At that time two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo, began to speak in the name of the God of Israel to the Jews who lived in Judah and Jerusalem.
2 When Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jehozadak heard their messages, they began to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, and the two prophets helped them.
3 Almost at once Tattenai, governor of West Euphrates, Shethar Bozenai, and their fellow-officials came to Jerusalem and demanded: “Who gave you orders to build this Temple and equip it?”
4 They also asked for the names of all the men who were helping to build the Temple.
5 But God was watching over the Jewish leaders, and the Persian officials decided to take no action until they could write to Darius and receive a reply.
6 This is the report that they sent to the emperor:
7 “To Emperor Darius, may you rule in peace.