17. Then the king sent this reply:To Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their group living in Samaria, and to others west of the Euphrates River:I wish you peace and prosperity!
18. The letter you sent me has been read word for word in my presence.
19. I gave the order, and a search was made. I discovered that this city has a long history of uprisings against kings. Its inhabitants are guilty of treason and rebellion.
20. Jerusalem has had powerful kings who have ruled the whole ⌊province⌋ west of the Euphrates. Taxes, fees, and tolls were paid to them.
21. So order these men to stop rebuilding. Keep this city from being rebuilt until I give the order.
22. Be careful not to neglect your duty in this matter. Why should I, the king, suffer any more harm?
23. Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and their group hurried to Jerusalem after hearing a copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter. They forced the Jews to stop rebuilding.
24. Then the work on God’s temple in Jerusalem was stopped. Nothing more was done until Darius’ second year as king of Persia.