Ezra:4:6-24

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* In the reign of Ahasuerus , in the beginning of his reign , they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem . * In the days of Artaxerxes also , Bishlam , Mithredath , Tabel , and the rest of their companions wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia ; and the letter was written in Aramaic script , and translated into the Aramaic language . * Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes in this fashion : * From Rehum the commander , Shimshai the scribe , and the rest of their companions--representatives of the Dinaites , the Apharsathchites , the Tarpelites , the people of Persia and Erech and Babylon and Shushan , the Dehavites , the Elamites , * and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnapper took captive and settled in the cities of Samaria and the remainder beyond the River --and so forth . * (This is a copy of the letter that they sent him ) To King Artaxerxes from your servants , the men of the region beyond the River , and so forth : * Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem , and are building the rebellious and evil city , and are finishing its walls and repairing the foundations . * Let it now be known to the king that , if this city is built and the walls completed , they will not pay tax , tribute , or custom , and the king 's treasury will be diminished . * Now because we receive support from the palace , it was not proper for us to see the king 's dishonor ; therefore we have sent and informed the king , * that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers . And you will find in the book of the records and know that this city is a rebellious city , harmful to kings and provinces , and that they have incited sedition within the city in former times , for which cause this city was destroyed . * We inform the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed , the result will be that you will have no dominion beyond the River . * The king sent an answer : To Rehum the commander , to Shimshai the scribe , to the rest of their companions who dwell in Samaria , and to the remainder beyond the River : Peace , and so forth . * The letter which you sent to us has been clearly read before me . * And I gave the command , and a search has been made , and it was found that this city in former times has revolted against kings , and rebellion and sedition have been fostered in it . * There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem , who have ruled over all the region beyond the River ; and tax , tribute , and custom were paid to them . * Now give the command to make these men cease , that this city may not be built until the command is given by me . * Take heed now that you do not fail to do this . Why should damage increase to the hurt of the kings ? * 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 . * 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 .

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