Yet the elders of the Jews were dealt with kindly, for the providence of the Lord was over the captives;

“To King Darius, greeting. Let it be fully known to our lord the king that, when we went to the country of Judea and entered the city of Jerusalem, we found the elders of the Jews, who had been in captivity,

Then we asked these elders, ‘At whose command are you building this house and laying the foundations of this structure?’

So Darius commanded Sisinnes the governor of Syria and Phoenic′ia, and Sathrabuzanes, and their associates, and those who were appointed as local rulers in Syria and Phoenic′ia, to keep away from the place, and to permit Zerub′babel, the servant of the Lord and governor of Judea, and the elders of the Jews to build this house of the Lord on its site.

supervised the holy work with very great care, assisting the elders of the Jews and the chief officers of the temple.

and that if any did not meet there within two or three days, in accordance with the decision of the ruling elders, their cattle should be seized for sacrifice and the men themselves expelled from the multitude of those who had returned from the captivity.

with the elders and judges of each place, until we are freed from the wrath of the Lord over this matter.”