Ezra 5:8

5:8 Let it be known to the king that we have gone to the province of Judah, to the temple of the great God. It is being built with large stones, ¹  and timbers are being placed in the walls. This work is being done with all diligence and is prospering in their hands.

Ezra 5:17

5:17 “Now if the king is so inclined, ²  let a search be conducted in the royal archives ³  there in Babylon in order to determine whether King Cyrus did in fact issue orders for this temple of God to be rebuilt in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us a decision concerning this matter.”

Ezra 9:11

9:11 which you commanded us through your servants the prophets with these words: ⁴  ‘The land that you are entering to possess is a land defiled by the impurities of the local residents! ⁵  With their abominations they have filled it from one end to the other with their filthiness.

[5:8]  ¹ tn Aram “stones of rolling.” The reference is apparently to stones too large to carry.

[5:17]  ² tn Aram “if upon the king it is good.”

[5:17]  ³ tn Aram “the house of the treasures of the king.”

[9:11]  ⁴ tn Heb “through your servants the prophets, saying.”

[9:11]  ⁵ tn Heb “the peoples of the lands.”