Now when the adversariesof Judahand Benjaminheardthatthe childrenof the captivitybuiltthe templeunto the LORDGodof Israel; Then they cametoZerubbabel, and tothe chiefof the fathers, and saidunto them, Let us buildwithyou: forwe seekyour God, as ye do ; and wedo sacrificeunto him since the daysof Esar-haddon kingof Assur, which brought us uphither. But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the restof the chiefof the fathersof Israel, saidunto them, Ye have nothingto do with us to builda houseunto our God; butwe ourselvestogetherwill buildunto the LORDGodof Israel, askingCyrusthe kingof Persiahath commandedus. Then the peopleof the landweakenedthe handsof the peopleof Judah, and troubledthem in building, And hiredcounselorsagainstthem, to frustratetheir purpose, allthe daysof Cyruskingof Persia, even untilthe reignof Dariuskingof Persia. And in the reignof Ahasuerus, in the beginningof his reign, wrotethey unto him an accusationagainstthe inhabitantsof Judahand Jerusalem. And in the daysof ArtaxerxeswroteBishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the restof their companions, untoArtaxerxeskingof Persia; and the writingof the letter was writtenin the Syrian tongue, and interpretedin the Syrian tongue. Rehumthe chancellorand Shimshaithe scribewrotealetteragainstJerusalemto Artaxerxesthe kingin this sort: Then wrote Rehumthe chancellor, and Shimshaithe scribe, and the restof their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites, And the restof the nationswhomthe greatand nobleAsnapparbrought over, and setin the citiesofSamaria, and the rest that are on this sidethe river, and at such a time. This is the copyof the letterthatthey sentuntohim, even untoArtaxerxesthe king; Thy servantsthe menon this sidethe river, and at such a time. Beit knownunto the king, that the Jewswhichcame upfromthee tous are comeunto Jerusalem, buildingthe rebelliousand the badcity, and have set upthe walls thereof , and joinedthe foundations. Beit knownnowunto the king, that, ifthiscitybe built, and the wallsset up again, then will they notpaytoll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamagethe revenueof the kings. Nowbecausewe have maintenancefrom the king's palace, and it was notmeetfor us to seethe king's dishonor, thereforehave we sentand certifiedthe king; Thatsearch may be madein the bookof the recordsofthy fathers: so shalt thou findin the bookof the records, and knowthatthiscity is a rebelliouscity, and hurtfulunto kingsand provinces, and that they have movedseditionwithin the sameofoldtime: forwhich causewas thiscitydestroyed. Wecertifythe kingthat, ifthiscitybe built again , and the wallsthereof set up, by thismeansthou shalt havenoportionon this sidethe river. Then sentthe kingan answeruntoRehumthe chancellor, and to Shimshaithe scribe, and to the restof their companionsthatdwellin Samaria, and unto the restbeyondthe river, Peace, and at such a time. The letterwhichye sentuntous hath been plainlyreadbeforeme. And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is foundthatthiscityofoldtimehath made insurrectionagainstkings, and that rebellionand seditionhave been madetherein. There have beenmightykingsalso overJerusalem, which have ruledover all countries beyondthe river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paidunto them. Giveye nowcommandmentto cause thesemento cease, and that thiscitybe notbuilt, until another commandmentshall be givenfromme. Take heednow that ye fail notto dothis: whyshould damagegrowto the hurtof the kings? Nowwhenthe copyof kingArtaxerxes' letter was readbeforeRehum, and Shimshaithe scribe, and their companions, they went upin hasteto Jerusalemuntothe Jews, and made themto ceaseby forceand power. Thenceasedthe workof the houseof Godwhich is at Jerusalem. Soit ceaseduntothe secondyearof the reignof Dariuskingof Persia.