Study Desk

The message the king sent to Rehum the master of counsel, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their associates who dwell in Samaria, and to the rest Beyond the River: Peace! And now,

the letter which you sent to us has been plainly read before me.

And I gave a decree, and search has been made, and it is found that this city has lifted up itself against kings in the past, and rebellion and revolt have been made in it.

There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all Beyond the River. And tax, tribute, and forced labor were paid to them.

Now make a decree to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be rebuilt until the decree shall be given from me.

And beware of being at fault, to act on this. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

Then as soon as the copy of the letter of Artaxerxes the king was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their associates, they hurried to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them stop working by force and power.

Then the work of the house of God in Jerusalem stopped. So it ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.