Good morning, everyone. As Joel said, my name is Connor, and we have a longer text today,

so we're just going to dive right in. If you have a Bible or a copy of the notes in front of you,

please direct your attention to the text at hand. This week's text is Ezra chapter 5 versus 6 through 17.

Once more, Ezra, chapter 5, verses 6 through 17 once more Ezra chapter 5 versus 6 through 17 and as is our tradition here at

covenant Bible church would you stand with me for the reading of God's word I'll read the text in its

entirety and then once I conclude doing so I will say this is the word of the Lord and I'll ask that

we respond by saying,

thanks be to God.

So once more, our text for this morning is Ezra chapter 5, verses 6 through 17.

The Word of the Lord says this.

This is a copy of the letter that Tatani, the governor of the province beyond the river,

and Shethar Bosani, and his associates, the governors the governor of the province beyond the river, and Shethar

Bosenai, and his associates, the governors who were in the province beyond the river, sent

to Darius the king. They sent him a report in which was written as follows, to Darius the

king, all peace. Be it known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house

of the great God.

It is being built with huge stones and timber

is laid in the walls.

This work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands.

Then we asked those elders and spoke to them thus,

who gave you a decree to build this house

and to finish this structure?

...