³ At that time Tattenai,^(A) governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai^(B) and their associates went to them and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and to finish it?”^(C)

Completion and Dedication of the Temple

¹³ Then, because of the decree King Darius had sent, Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates^(A) carried it out with diligence.

⁷ They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

The Authority of Jesus Questioned^(A)

²³ Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority^(B) are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

⁷ I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates,^(A) so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? ⁸ And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel^(B) by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me,^(C) the king granted my requests.^{(D) 9} So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry^(E) with me.

⁶ This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates, the officials of Trans-Euphrates, sent to King Darius.