A Plot to Hinder the Work

1When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin learned that the descendants of the Babyloniana captivity had built their Temple to the LORD, the God of Israel, 2they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of the familiesb with this message: “Let’s build along with you, because, like you, we seek your God, as do you, and we’ve been making sacrifices to him since the reign of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria, who brought us here.”

3But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of the familiesc of Israel replied, “You have no part in our plans ford building a temple to our God, because we alone will build to the LORD, the God of Israel, in accordance with the decree issued by King Cyrus, king of Persia.”

The Plot Succeeds—for a While

4After this, the non-Israeli inhabitantse of the land underminedf the people of Judah, harassing them in their construction work 5by bribing their consultants in order to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia until Darius became king.g

6At the beginning of the reign of Ahasuerus, they lodged a formal accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. 7While Artaxerxes was king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their co-conspirators wrote in the Aramaic language and script to King Artaxerxes of Persia.

Aramaic:h

8Governor Rehum and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter concerning Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows:

9From Governor Rehum

Shimshai the scribe

The rest of their colleagues—

Judges, envoys, officials, Persians, the people of Erech, the Babylonians, the people of Susa (that is, the Elamites) 10and many other nations whom the great and honorable Osnappar deported and resettled in Samaria and in the rest of the province beyond the Euphratesi River.

11This is the text of the letter they sent.

To: King Artaxerxes

From: Your servants, the men of the province beyond the Euphratesj River.

12May the king be advised that the Jews who came from you to us have reached Jerusalem and are rebuilding a rebellious and wicked city, having completed its walls and repaired its foundations.

13May the king be further advised that if this city is rebuilt and its walls erected, its citizensk will refuse to pay tributes, taxes, and tariffs, thereby restricting royal revenues.

14Now, because we are royal employeesl and are committed to preserving the reputation of the king, we have written to the king and have declared its contents to be true,m 15urgingn that a search may be made in the official registers of your predecessors.o You will discover in the registers thatp this city is a rebellious city, that it is damaging to both kings and provinces, that it has been moved to sedition from time immemorial, and that because of this it was destroyed.

16We certify to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls completed, you will lose your land holdings in the province beyond the Euphratesq River.

The Response of Ahasuerus

17The king replied:

To: Governor Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues living in Samaria, and the remainder living beyond the Euphratesr River.

Greetings:s

18The memorandum you sent to us has been read and carefully considered.t 19Pursuant to my edict, an investigation has been undertaken. It is noted that this city has fomented rebellion against kings from time immemorial, and that rebellion and sedition has occurred in it.

20Powerful kings have reigned over Jerusalem, including ruling over all lands beyond the Euphratesu River. Furthermore, taxes, tribute, and tolls have been paid to them.

21Accordingly, issue an order to force these men to cease their workv so that this city is not rebuilt until you receive further notice from me.

22Be diligent and take precautions so that you do not neglect your responsibility in this matter. Why should the kingdom sustain any more damage?

Reconstruction Ceases

23As soon as a copy of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, to Shimshai the scribe, and to their colleagues, they traveled quickly to Jerusalem and compelled the Jews to cease by force of arms. 24As a result, work on the Temple of God in Jerusalem ceased and did not begin again until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.