9. At that time, Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe were with the others of their group—the people from Denya, Partakka, Tarpel, Persia, Erech, Babylon, Susa, (that is, those of Elam),
10. and the rest of the people whom the great and noble Assurbanipal deported. (Assurbanipal settled them in the cities of Samaria and the rest of the lands west of the Euphrates River.)
11. This is the copy of the letter they sent to him:To King Artaxerxes,From your servants, the people west of the Euphrates:
12. Your Majesty, you should know that the Jews who came to us from you are now in Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are close to finishing the walls. The foundations are already in place.
13. You should also know that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, the Jews will no longer pay taxes, fees, and tolls.Ultimately, this will hurt the king’s income.
14. Now, because we are paid by your palace, it isn’t right for us to watch something happen that will dishonor the king. So we are sending this letter to inform you
15. that you should search the official records of your predecessors. You will find in those official records that this city has been rebellious and has been a threat to kings and provinces. This city has a history of rebelliousness. That’s why this city was destroyed.
16. We want the king to know that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, you will have nothing left ⌊of your province⌋ west of the Euphrates River.
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.