¹ Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel;

² Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.

³ But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.

⁴ Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,

⁵ And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

⁶ And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

⁷ And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.

⁸ Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:

⁹ Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,

¹⁰ And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnapper brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time.

¹¹ This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.

¹² Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.

¹³ Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.

¹⁴ Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;

¹⁵ That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.

¹⁶ We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.

¹⁷ Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.

¹⁸ The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.

¹⁹ And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.

²⁰ There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.

²¹ Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.

²² Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

²³ Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.

²⁴ Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

---

¹ Now when the adversaries ^H6862 of Judah ^H3063 and Benjamin ^H1144 heard ^H8085 that the children ^H1121 of the captivity ^H1473 builded ^H1129 the temple ^H1964 unto the LORD ^H3068 God ^H430 of Israel; ^H3478

² Then they came ^H5066 to Zerubbabel, ^H2216 and to the chief ^H7218 of the fathers, ^H1 and said ^H559 unto them, Let us build ^H1129 with you: for we seek ^H1875 your God, ^H430 as ye do; and we do sacrifice ^H2076 unto him since the days ^H3117 of Esarhaddon ^H634 king ^H4428 of Assur, ^H804 which brought us up hither. ^H5927

³ But Zerubbabel, ^H2216 and Jeshua, ^H3442 and the rest ^H7605 of the chief ^H7218 of the fathers ^H1 of Israel, ^H3478 said ^H559 unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build ^H1129 an house ^H1004 unto our God; ^H430 but we ourselves together ^H3162 will build ^H1129 unto the LORD ^H3068 God ^H430 of Israel, ^H3478 as king ^H4428 Cyrus ^H3566 the king ^H4428 of Persia ^H6539 hath commanded ^H6680 us.

⁴ Then the people ^H5971 of the land ^H776 weakened ^H7503 the hands ^H3027 of the people ^H5971 of Judah, ^H3063 and troubled ^{H926 H1089} them in building, ^H1129

⁵ And hired ^H7936 counsellors ^H3289 against them, to frustrate ^H6565 their purpose, ^H6098 all the days ^H3117 of Cyrus ^H3566 king ^H4428 of Persia, ^H6539 even until the reign ^H4438 of Darius ^H1867 king ^H4428 of Persia. ^H6539

⁶ And in the reign ^H4438 of Ahasuerus, ^H325 in the beginning ^H8462 of his reign, ^H4438 wrote ^H3789 they unto him an accusation ^H7855 against the inhabitants ^H3427 of Judah ^H3063 and Jerusalem. ^H3389

⁷ And in the days ^H3117 of Artaxerxes ^H783 wrote ^H3789 Bishlam, ^H1312 Mithredath, ^H4990 Tabeel, ^H2870 and the rest ^H7605 of their companions, ^H3674 unto Artaxerxes ^H783 king ^H4428 of Persia; ^H6539 and the writing ^H3791 of the letter ^H5406 was written ^H3789 in the Syrian tongue, ^H762 and interpreted ^H8638 in the Syrian tongue. ^H762

⁸ Rehum ^H7348 the chancellor ^{H1169 H2942} and Shimshai ^H8124 the scribe ^H5613 wrote ^H3790 a ^H2298 letter ^H104 against ^H5922 Jerusalem ^H3390 to Artaxerxes ^H783 the king ^H4430 in this sort: ^H3660

⁹ Then ^H116 wrote Rehum ^H7348 the chancellor, ^{H1169 H2942} and Shimshai ^H8124 the scribe, ^H5613 and the rest ^H7606 of their companions; ^H3675 the Dinaites, ^H1784 the Apharsathchites, ^H671 the Tarpelites, ^H2967 the Apharsites, ^H670 the Archevites, ^H756 the Babylonians, ^H896 the Susanchites, ^H7801 the Dehavites, ^H1723 and the Elamites, ^H5962

¹⁰ And the rest ^H7606 of the nations ^H524 whom ^H1768 the great ^H7229 and noble ^H3358 Asnappar ^H620 brought over, ^H1541 and set ^{H3488 H1994} in the cities ^H7149 of Samaria, ^H8115 and the rest ^H7606 that are on this side ^H5675 the river, ^H5103 and at such a time. ^H3706

¹¹ This ^H1836 is the copy ^H6573 of the letter ^H104 that ^H1768 they sent ^H7972 unto him, ^H5922 even unto Artaxerxes ^H783 the king; ^H4430 Thy servants ^H5649 the men ^H606 on this side ^H5675 the river, ^H5103 and at such a time. ^H3706

¹² Be it ^H1934 known ^H3046 unto the king, ^H4430 that the Jews ^H3062 which ^H1768 came up ^H5559 from ^H4481 thee ^H3890 to us ^H5922 are come ^H858 unto Jerusalem, ^H3390 building ^H1124 the rebellious ^H4779 and the bad ^H873 city, ^H7149 and have set up ^{H3635 H3635} the walls ^H7792 thereof, and joined ^H2338 the foundations. ^H787

¹³ Be it known ^{H3046 H1934} now ^H3705 unto the king, ^H4430 that, if ^H2006 this ^H1791 city ^H7149 be builded, ^H1124 and the walls ^H7792 set up ^H3635 again, then will they not ^H3809 pay ^H5415 toll, ^H4061 tribute, ^H1093 and custom, ^H1983 and so thou shalt endamage ^H5142 the revenue ^H674 of the kings. ^H4430

¹⁴ Now ^H3705 because ^{H6903 H3606} we have ^H1768 maintenance ^{H4415 H4416} from the king's palace, ^H1965 and it was not ^H3809 meet ^H749 for us to see ^H2370 the king's ^H4430 dishonour, ^H6173 therefore ^{H5922 H1836} have we sent ^H7972 and certified ^H3046 the king; ^H4430

¹⁵ That search ^H1240 may be made in the book ^H5609 of the records ^H1799 of thy fathers: ^H2 so shalt thou find ^H7912 in the book ^H5609 of the records, ^H1799 and know ^H3046 that this ^H1791 city ^H7149 is a rebellious ^H4779 city, ^H7149 and hurtful ^H5142 unto kings ^H4430 and provinces, ^H4083 and that they have moved ^H5648 sedition ^H849 within the same ^H1459 of ^H4481 old ^H5957 time: ^H3118 for ^H5922 which ^H1836 cause was this ^H1791 city ^H7149 destroyed. ^H2718

¹⁶ We ^H586 certify ^H3046 the king ^H4430 that, if ^H2006 this ^H1791 city ^H7149 be builded ^H1124 again, and the walls ^H7792 thereof set up, ^H3635 by this ^H1836 means ^H6903 thou shalt have ^H383 no ^H3809 portion ^H2508 on this side ^H5675 the river. ^H5103

¹⁷ Then sent ^H7972 the king ^H4430 an answer ^H6600 unto ^H5922 Rehum ^H7348 the chancellor, ^{H1169 H2942} and to Shimshai ^H8124 the scribe, ^H5613 and to the rest ^H7606 of their companions ^H3675 that dwell ^H3488 in Samaria, ^H8115 and unto the rest ^H7606 beyond ^H5675 the river, ^H5103 Peace, ^H8001 and at such a time. ^H3706

¹⁸ The letter ^H5407 which ye sent ^H7972 unto us ^H5922 hath been plainly ^H6568 read ^H7123 before ^H6925 me.

¹⁹ And I ^H4481 commanded, ^{H7761 H2942} and search ^H1240 hath been made, and it is found ^H7912 that this ^H1791 city ^H7149 of ^H4481 old ^H5957 time ^H3118 hath made insurrection ^H5376 against ^H5922 kings, ^H4430 and that rebellion ^H4776 and sedition ^H849 have been made ^H5648 therein.

²⁰ There have been ^H1934 mighty ^H8624 kings ^H4430 also over ^H5922 Jerusalem, ^H3390 which have ruled ^H7990 over all ^H3606 countries beyond ^H5675 the river; ^H5103 and toll, ^H4061 tribute, ^H1093 and custom, ^H1983 was paid ^H3052 unto them.

²¹ Give ^H7761 ye now ^H3705 commandment ^H2942 to cause ^H989 these ^H479 men ^H1400 to cease, ^H989 and that this ^H1791 city ^H7149 be not ^H3809 builded, ^H1124 until ^H5705 another commandment ^H2941 shall be given ^H7761 from me. ^H4481

²² Take heed ^{H1934 H2095} now that ye fail ^H7960 not to do ^{H5922 H5648} this: ^H1836 why ^H4101 should damage ^H2257 grow ^H7680 to the hurt ^H5142 of the kings? ^H4430

²³ Now ^H116 when ^{H4481 H1768} the copy ^H6573 of king ^H4430 Artaxerxes' ^H783 letter ^H5407 was read ^H7123 before ^H6925 Rehum, ^H7348 and Shimshai ^H8124 the scribe, ^H5613 and their companions, ^H3675 they went up ^H236 in haste ^H924 to Jerusalem ^H3390 unto ^H5922 the Jews, ^H3062 and made them ^H1994 to cease ^H989 by force ^H153 and power. ^H2429

²⁴ Then ^H116 ceased ^H989 the work ^H5673 of the house ^H1005 of God ^H426 which is at Jerusalem. ^H3390 So it ceased ^{H1934 H989} unto ^H5705 the second ^H8648 year ^H8140 of the reign ^H4437 of Darius ^H1868 king ^H4430 of Persia. ^H6540

---

¹ Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple unto Jehovah, the God of Israel;

² then they drew near to Zerubbabel, and to the heads of fathers' `houses', and said unto them, Let us build with you; for we seek your God, as ye do; and we sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assyria, who brought us up hither.

³ But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers' `houses' of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us in building a house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto Jehovah, the God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.

⁴ Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,

⁵ and hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

⁶ And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

⁷ And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian `character', and set forth in the Syrian `tongue'.

⁸ Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:

⁹ then `wrote' Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,

¹⁰ and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over, and set in the city of Samaria, and in the rest `of the country' beyond the River, and so forth.

¹¹ This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto Artaxerxes the king: Thy servants the men beyond the River, and so forth.

¹² Be it known unto the king, that the Jews that came up from thee are come to us unto Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and have finished the walls, and repaired the foundations.

¹³ Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful unto the kings.

¹⁴ Now because we eat the salt of the palace, and it is not meet for us to see the king's dishonor, therefore have we sent and certified the king;

¹⁵ that search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time; for which cause was this city laid waste.

¹⁶ We certify the king that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, by this means thou shalt have no portion beyond the River.

¹⁷ `Then' sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and in the rest `of the country' beyond the River: Peace, and so forth.

¹⁸ The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.

¹⁹ And I decreed, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.

²⁰ There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all `the country' beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll, was paid unto them.

²¹ Make ye now a decree to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until a decree shall be made by me.

²² And take heed that ye be not slack herein: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

²³ Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.

²⁴ Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

---

¹ And adversaries of Judah and Benjamin hear that the sons of the captivity are building a temple to Jehovah, God of Israel,

² and they draw nigh unto Zerubbabel, and unto heads of the fathers, and say to them, `Let us build with you; for, like you, we seek to your God, and we are not sacrificing since the days of Esar-Haddon king of Asshur, who brought us up hither.'

³ And Zerubbabel saith to them, also Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of the fathers of Israel, `Not for you, and for us, to build a house to our God; but we ourselves together do build to Jehovah God of Israel, as the king Cyrus, king of Persia, commanded us.'

⁴ And it cometh to pass, the people of the land are making the hands of the people of Judah feeble, and troubling them in building,

⁵ and are hiring against them counsellors to make void their counsel all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even till the reign of Darius king of Persia.

⁶ And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the commencement of his reign, they have written an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem;

⁷ and in the days of Artaxerxes have Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions written unto Artaxerxes king of Persia, and the writing of the letter is written in Aramaean, and interpreted in Aramaean.

⁸ Rehum counsellor, and Shimshai scribe have written a letter concerning Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king, thus:

⁹ Then Rehum counsellor, and Shimshai scribe, and the rest of their companions, Dinaites, and Apharsathchites, Tarpelites, Apharsites, Archevites, Babylonians, Susanchites, (who are Elamites),

¹⁰ and the rest of the nations that the great and honourable Asnapper removed and set in the city of Samaria, and the rest beyond the river, and at such a time:

¹¹ This `is' a copy of a letter that they have sent unto him, unto Artaxerxes the king: `Thy servants, men beyond the river, and at such a time;

¹² Be it known to the king, that the Jews who have come up from thee unto us, have come in to Jerusalem, the rebellious and base city they are building, and the walls they have finished, and the foundations they join.

¹³ `Now, be it known to the king, that if this city be builded, and the walls finished, toll, tribute, and custom they do not give; and at length `to' the kings it doth cause loss.

¹⁴ Now, because that the salt of the palace `is' our salt, and the nakedness of the king we have no patience to see, therefore we have sent and made known to the king;

¹⁵ so that he doth seek in the book of the records of thy fathers, and thou dost find in the book of the records, and dost know, that this city `is' a rebellious city, and causing loss `to' kings and provinces, and makers of sedition `are' in its midst from the days of old, therefore hath this city been wasted.

¹⁶ We are making known to the king that, if this city be builded and the walls finished, by this means a portion beyond the river thou hast none.'

¹⁷ An answer hath the king sent unto Rehum counsellor, and Shimshai scribe, and the rest of their companions who are dwelling in Samaria, and the rest beyond the river, `Peace, and at such a time:

¹⁸ The letter that ye sent unto us, explained, hath been read before me,

¹⁹ and by me a decree hath been made, and they sought, and have found that this city from the days of old against kings is lifting up itself, and rebellion and sedition is made in it,

²⁰ and mighty kings have been over Jerusalem, even rulers over all beyond the river, and toll, tribute, and custom is given to them.

²¹ `Now, make ye a decree to cause these men to cease, and this city is not builded, till by me a decree is made.

²² And beware ye of negligence in doing this; why doth the hurt become great to the loss of the kings?'

²³ Then from the time that a copy of the letter of king Artaxerxes is read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they have gone in haste to Jerusalem, unto the Jews, and caused them to cease by force and strength;

²⁴ then ceased the service of the house of God that `is' in Jerusalem, and it ceased till the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

---

¹ And the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building the temple to Jehovah the God of Israel;

² and they came to Zerubbabel and to the chief fathers, and said to them, We would build with you; for we seek your God, as ye; and we have sacrificed to him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assyria, who brought us up hither.

³ But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the chief fathers of Israel said to them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build a house to our God, but we alone will build to Jehovah the God of Israel, as king Cyrus, the king of Persia, has commanded us.

⁴ And the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building;

⁵ and they hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

⁶ And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

⁷ And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in Aramaic, and interpreted in Aramaic.

⁸ Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king after this sort:

⁹ Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,

¹⁰ and the rest of the peoples whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over and settled in the cities of Samaria, and the rest [of the country] on this side the river, and so forth.

¹¹ This is the copy of the letter that they sent to him: To Artaxerxes the king: Thy servants the men on this side the river, and so forth.

¹² Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from thee unto us have come to Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and they complete the walls and join up the foundations.

¹³ Be it known therefore unto the king, that, if this city be built and the walls be completed, they will not pay tribute, tax, and toll, and in the end it will bring damage to the kings.

¹⁴ Now, since we eat the salt of the palace, and it is not right for us to see the king's injury, therefore have we sent and informed the king;

¹⁵ that search may be made in the book of the annals of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the annals and know that this city is a rebellious city, which has done damage to kings and provinces, and that they have raised sedition within the same of old time, for which cause this city was destroyed.

¹⁶ We inform the king that if this city be built and its walls be completed, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.

¹⁷ The king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and the other places beyond the river: Peace, and so forth.

¹⁸ The letter that ye sent to us has been read before me distinctly.

¹⁹ And I gave orders, and search has been made, and it has been found that this city of old time has made insurrection against the kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been raised therein.

²⁰ And there have been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all beyond the river; and tribute, tax, and toll were paid to them.

²¹ Now give order to make these men to cease, and that this city be not built, until the order shall be given from me;

²² and take heed that ye fail not to do this: why should harm grow to the damage of the kings?

²³ As soon as the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them cease by force and power.

²⁴ Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

---

¹ Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple to Yahweh, the God of Israel;

² then they drew near to Zerubbabel, and to the heads of fathers' [houses], and said to them, Let us build with you; for we seek your God, as you do; and we sacrifice to him since the days of Esar Haddon king of Assyria, who brought us up here.

³ But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers' [houses] of Israel, said to them, You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we ourselves together will build to Yahweh, the God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.

⁴ Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,

⁵ and hired counselors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

⁶ In the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

⁷ In the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his companions, to Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian [character], and set forth in the Syrian [language].

⁸ Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:

⁹ then [wrote] Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,

¹⁰ and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought over, and set in the city of Samaria, and in the rest [of the country] beyond the River, and so forth.

¹¹ This is the copy of the letter that they sent to Artaxerxes the king: Your servants the men beyond the River, and so forth.

¹² Be it known to the king, that the Jews who came up from you are come to us to Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and have finished the walls, and repaired the foundations.

¹³ Be it known now to the king that if this city is built, and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings.

¹⁴ Now because we eat the salt of the palace, and it is not appropriate for us to see the king's dishonor, therefore have we sent and informed the king;

¹⁵ that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers: so shall you find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time; for which cause was this city laid waste.

¹⁶ We inform the king that, if this city be built, and the walls finished, by this means you shall have no portion beyond the River.

¹⁷ [Then] sent the king an answer to Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions who dwell in Samaria, and in the rest [of the country] beyond the River: Peace, and so forth.

¹⁸ The letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me.

¹⁹ I decreed, and search has been made, and it is found that this city of old time has made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.

²⁰ There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all [the country] beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll, was paid to them.

²¹ Make you now a decree to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built, until a decree shall be made by me.

²² Take heed that you not be slack herein: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

²³ Then when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.

²⁴ Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

---

¹ Now news came to the haters of Judah and Benjamin that the people who had come back were building a Temple to the Lord, the God of Israel;

² Then they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of families, and said to them, Let us take part in the building with you; for we are servants of your God, even as you are; and we have been making offerings to him from the days of Esar-haddon, king of Assyria, who put us here.

³ But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of families in Israel said to them, You have no part with us in the building of a house for our God; we ourselves will do the work together for the Lord, the God of Israel, as Cyrus, king of Persia, has given us orders.

⁴ Then the people of the land made the hands of the people of Judah feeble, troubling them with fear in their building;

⁵ And they gave payment to men who made designs against them and kept them from effecting their purpose, all through the time of Cyrus, king of Persia, till Darius became king.

⁶ And in the time of Ahasuerus, when he first became king, they put on record a statement against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

⁷ And in the time of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his friends, sent a letter to Artaxerxes, king of Persia, writing it in the Aramaean writing and language.

⁸ Rehum, the chief ruler, and Shimshai the scribe, sent a letter against Jerusalem, to Artaxerxes the king;

⁹ The letter was sent by Rehum, the chief ruler, and Shimshai the scribe and their friends; the Dinaites and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,

¹⁰ And the rest of the nations which the great and noble Osnappar took over and put in Samaria and the rest of the country over the river:

¹¹ This is a copy of the letter which they sent to Artaxerxes the king: Your servants living across the river send these words:

¹² We give news to the king that the Jews who came from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are building up again that uncontrolled and evil town; the walls are complete and they are joining up the bases.

¹³ The king may be certain that when the building of this town and its walls is complete, they will give no tax or payment in goods or forced payments, and in the end it will be a cause of loss to the kings.

¹⁴ Now because we are responsible to the king, and it is not right for us to see the king's honour damaged, we have sent to give the king word of these things,

¹⁵ So that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers: and you will see in the book of the records that this town has been uncontrolled, and a cause of trouble to kings and countries, and that there were outbursts against authority there in the past: for which reason the town was made waste.

¹⁶ We give you word, that if the building of this town and its walls is made complete, there will be an end of your power in the country across the river.

¹⁷ Then the king sent an answer to Rehum, the chief ruler, and Shimshai the scribe, and their friends living in Samaria, and to the rest of those across the river, saying, Peace to you:

¹⁸ And now the sense of the letter which you sent to us has been made clear to me,

¹⁹ And I gave orders for a search to be made, and it is certain that in the past this town has made trouble for kings, and that outbursts against authority have taken place there.

²⁰ Further, there have been great kings in Jerusalem, ruling over all the country across the river, to whom they gave taxes and payments in goods and forced payments.

²¹ Give an order now, that these men are to do nothing more, and that the building of the town is to be stopped, till I give an order.

²² Be certain to do this with all care: do not let trouble be increased to the king's damage.

²³ Then, after reading the king's letter, Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their friends went quickly to Jerusalem, to the Jews, and had them stopped by force.

²⁴ So the work of the house of God at Jerusalem came to an end; so it was stopped, till the second year of the rule of Darius, king of Persia.