21. Now give the command to make these men cease, that this city may not be built until the command is given by me.
22. Take heed now that you do not fail to do this. Why should damage increase to the hurt of the kings?
23. Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem against the Jews, and by force of arms made them cease.
24. Thus the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.