1Now when the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that those who had returned from captivity were building a temple for Yahweh, the God of Israel,
2they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of the families and said to them, “Let us build with you, because we worship your God, just as you do. We have been sacrificing to him since the days of Esar Haddon, king of Assyria, who brought us here.”
3But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of Israelite families replied, “You have no part with us in building a house for our God. We alone will build for Yahweh, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus of Persia has commanded us.”
4Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and intimidated them to stop building.
5They hired lawyers to work against them and frustrate their plans throughout the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia, until the reign of Darius, king of Persia.
6At the beginning of Ahasuerus’s reign, they wrote an accusation against the people living in Judah and Jerusalem.
7During the reign of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes, king of Persia. The letter was written in Aramaic and translated into Aramaic.
8Rehum, the provincial governor, and Shimshai, the secretary, wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes, which read as follows:
9From Rehum the provincial governor, Shimshai the secretary, and the rest of their colleagues—the Dinaites, Apharsathchites, Tarpelites, Apharsites, Archevites, Babylonians, Shushanchites, Dehaites, Elamites,
10and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar deported and settled in the city of Samaria and in the rest of the region beyond the Euphrates River—and so on.
11This is a copy of the letter they sent: To King Artaxerxes, from your servants, the people beyond the Euphrates River.
12We want the king to know that the Jewish people who came up from you have arrived in Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and evil city, and they have finished the walls and repaired the foundations.
13Therefore, we want the king to know that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, they will not pay taxes, tribute, or customs duties, and it will result in financial loss for the kings.
14Since we are loyal to the palace and it would not be right for us to see the king dishonored, we have sent this message to inform the king.
15so that a search can be made in the historical records of your ancestors. You will see in the records and know that this city is rebellious, harmful to kings and provinces, and has caused rebellions in the past. That is why this city was destroyed.
16We inform the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, then you will lose all your territory beyond the Euphrates River.
17Then the king sent a reply to Rehum the commander, Shimshai the secretary, and their colleagues who live in Samaria and the rest of the land beyond the Euphrates River: Greetings.
18The letter you sent to us has been clearly read in my presence.
19I issued a decree, and a search was made, and it was found that this city has indeed rebelled against kings in the past, and that rebellion and uprisings have occurred there.
20There have also been powerful kings in Jerusalem who ruled over all the land beyond the Euphrates River; and tribute, customs, and taxes were paid to them.
21Now, issue an order to stop these men and to prevent this city from being rebuilt until I give further instructions.
22Be careful not to neglect this. Why should damage to the kings be allowed to grow?
23When the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the secretary, and their colleagues, they hurried to Jerusalem to the Jews and forcibly made them stop.
24Then work on the house of God in Jerusalem stopped. It remained stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius, king of Persia.