Ezra 5:8-11

8Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. The people are rebuilding it with large stones and placing timbers in the walls. This work is being carried out diligently and is prospering in their hands.

9So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?”

10We also asked for their names, so that we could write down the names of their leaders1 for your information.

11And this is the answer they returned:

“We are servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed.