1When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin Neh 2:19-20 heard that the returned exiles Lit the sons of the exile Ezr 1:11; 2:1 were building a temple for Yahweh, the God of Israel,

2they approached Zerubbabel and the leaders of the families and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we also worship your God and have been sacrificing to Him Alt Hb tradition reads have not been sacrificing since the time King Esar-haddon of Assyria Esar-haddon reigned 681–669 b.c. brought us here.” 2Ki 17:24,27-32; 19:37; Is 37:38

3But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders of Israel’s families answered them, “You may have no part with us in building a house for our God, Neh 2:20 since we alone must build it for Yahweh, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us.” Ezr 1:1-4

4Then the people who were already in the land Lit people of the land discouraged Lit relaxed the hands of the people of Judah and made them afraid Ezr 3:3 to build.

5They also bribed officials to act against them to frustrate their plans Neh 6:12-13; 13:2 throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia and until the reign of King Darius of Persia. Darius reigned 521–486 b.c. Ezr 5:5; 6:1

6At the beginning of the reign of Ahasuerus, = Xerxes; he reigned 486–465 b.c. Est 1:1; Dn 9:1 the people who were already in the land Lit people of the land Ezr 3:3 wrote an accusation against the residents of Judah and Jerusalem.

7During the time of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Artaxerxes reigned 465–425 b.c. Ezr 7:1; Neh 2:1 Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel and the rest of his colleagues wrote to King Artaxerxes. The letter was written in Aramaic Dn 1:4; 2:4 and translated. Lit translated. Aramaic: Ezr 4:8–6:18 is written in Aram.

8Rehum the chief deputy and Shimshai the scribe Ezr 4:17,23-24 wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes concerning Jerusalem as follows:

9From Rehum Lit Then Rehum the chief deputy, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues — the judges and magistrates Or ambassadors from Tripolis, Persia, Erech, Babylon, Susa Neh 1:1; Est 1:2; Dn 8:2 (that is, the people of Elam), Aram obscure

10and the rest of the peoples whom the great and illustrious Ashurbanipal Lit Osnappar deported and settled in the cities of Samaria 2Kg 17:24 and the region west of the Euphrates River. Ezr 4:16-17,20

12Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you have returned to us at Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and evil city, finishing its walls, and repairing its foundations.

13Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, Ezr 4:16,21; Neh 1:3 they will not pay tribute, duty, or land tax, Ezr 4:20; 7:24 and the royal revenue Aram obscure will suffer.

14Since we have taken an oath of loyalty to the king, Lit have eaten the salt of the palace and it is not right for us to witness his dishonor, we have sent to inform the king

15that a search should be made in your fathers’ record books. Ezr 5:17; 6:1 In these record books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces. There have been revolts in it since ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.

16We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, you will not have any possession west of the Euphrates.

17 The king sent a reply to his chief deputy Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues living in Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates River:

18The letter you sent us has been translated and read Or been read clearly Neh 8:8 in my presence.

19I issued a decree and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has had uprisings against kings since ancient times, and there have been rebellions and revolts in it.

20Powerful kings have also ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region, and tribute, duty, and land tax were paid to them.

21Therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until a further decree has been pronounced by me. Neh 2:5,7-8

22See that you not neglect this matter. Otherwise, the damage will increase and the royal interests Lit the kings will suffer.

23As soon as the text of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues, Ezr 4:8-10,17 they immediately went to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them.

24Now the construction of God’s house in Jerusalem had stopped and remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia. Ezr 4:1-5; Hg 1:1,14