1Now the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people who had come back from exile were building a temple to the LORD God of Israel.
2So they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families, and said to them, "Let us build with you. We seek your God, just as you do. We have been sacrificing to him ever since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, who brought us up here."
3But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel said to them, "You have nothing to do with us in building a house for our God. We ourselves will build it together for the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus, the king of Persia, has commanded us."
4Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah. They troubled them while they were building.
5They also paid advisers to work against them and to spoil their plan. This went on all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, and even into the reign of Darius king of Persia.
6In the reign of Ahasuerus, at the beginning of his reign, they wrote to him an accusation against the people living in Judah and Jerusalem.
7And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of their companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia. The letter was written in the Syrian language, and translated into the Syrian language.
8Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king. It went like this.
9Then Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote, 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,
10and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnappar brought over and settled in the cities of Samaria, and the rest who are on this side of the river, and at such a time.
11This is a copy of the letter that they sent to him, to Artaxerxes the king: "Your servants, the men on this side of the river, and at such a time."
12"Let the king know that the Jews who came up from you to us have arrived at Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and evil city. They have set up its walls and joined the foundations together."
13"Let the king know now that if this city is rebuilt and its walls set up again, then they will not pay toll, tribute or duty, and so you will damage the income of the kings."
14"Now because we are supported by the king's palace, and it is not right for us to see the king dishonoured, we have sent word to inform the king,"
15"so that a search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. In that book of records you will find and learn that this city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, and that from long ago they have stirred up revolt inside it. That is why this city was destroyed."
16"We inform the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls set up, then you will have nothing left on this side of the river."
17Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the chancellor, to Shimshai the scribe, to the rest of their companions who live in Samaria, and to the rest beyond the river: "Peace, and at such a time."
18"The letter which you sent to us has been read clearly before me."
19"I gave the order, and a search was made. It was found that from long ago this city has risen up against kings, and that rebellion and revolt have been stirred up in it."
20"There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who ruled over all the lands beyond the river. Toll, tribute and duty were paid to them."
21"So give the order to make these men stop. This city must not be rebuilt until another order is given by me."
22"Be careful that you do not fail to do this. Why should the damage grow and harm the kings?"
23Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe and their companions, they hurried to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them stop by force and power.