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Then sent the king an answere vnto Rehum the Chancellour, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions, that dwell in Samaria, and vnto the rest beyond the Riuer, Peace, and at such a time.

The letter, which ye sent vnto vs, hath bene plainly read before me.

And I commaunded, and search hath bene made, and it is found, that this citie of old time hath made insurrection against Kings, and that rebellion & sedition haue bene made therein.

There haue bene mighty Kings also ouer Ierusalem, which haue ruled ouer all countreys beyond the Riuer, and tolle, tribute, and custome, was payd vnto them.

Giue ye now commandement, to cause these men to cease, and that this citie be not builded, vntill another commandement shall be giuen from me.

Take heed now that ye faile not to doe this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went vp in haste to Ierusalem, vnto the Iewes, and made them to cease, by force and power.

Then ceased the woorke of the house of the God, which is at Ierusalem. So it ceased, vnto the second yeere of the reigne of Darius king of Persia.