1Now when the Samaritans, adversaries of Judah and Benjamin, heard that those who returned from the captivity were building the Temple unto the LORD God of Israel, 2They came to Zerubbabel, and to the heads of the fathers, and said to them, “Let us build with you; for we seek your God, as you do; and we have been sacrificing to Him since the days of Esar-haddon, king of Assyria, who brought us here.” 3But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of Israel, said to them, “You have nothing to do with our building a house unto our God. We, alone, will build it to the LORD God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, has commanded us.” 4Then the Samaritans and other people of the land tried to discourage and intimidate the people of Judah, and impede their building, 5And they bribed officials to work against them, to frustrate their purpose; and this persisted all the days of Cyrus, king of Persia, and even until the reign of Darius, king of Persia.

6At the beginning of the reign of Ahasuerus (Xerxes), they wrote to him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

7And in the days of Artaxerxes, king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their cohorts, wrote to Artaxerxes; and the letter was written in Aramaic (the Syrian language), and translated from Aramaic.

8Rehum, the governor and Shimshai the court secretary wrote a letter, telling King Artaxerxes about the situation in Jerusalem, as follows:.

9“Rehum, the commanding officer, and Shimshai, the scribe, together with the rest of their associates - the judges, officials, and administrators over the people from Persia, Uruk and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa, 10And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar (probably Ashurbanipal) relocated, and settled in the cities of Samaria, and the rest of the region on the west side of the (Euphrates) river.” 11This is the copy of the text of the letter that they sent to Artaxerxes, the king: “Your servants, the men on this side of the river, send greetings. 12Be it known to the king, that the Jews who came up from you to us at Jerusalem, are rebuilding the rebellious and wicked city, and have set up its walls, and repaired its foundations. 13Be it known now to the king that, if this city is built, and the walls are set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, or tax, and the revenue of the kings will be diminished. 14Now, because we are in service of the king's palace, and it was not fitting for us to see the king's dishonor, therefore have we sent this to inform the king, 15That search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers; and you shall discover in those record books, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful to kings and provinces, and that in the past have incited rebellion from within; and for that cause this city was destroyed. 16We inform the king that, if this city is rebuilt, and its walls set up, as a result, you shall have no possessions on west of the (Euphrates) river.”

17Then the king sent this answer to Rehum, and to Shimshai, and to the rest of their cohorts living in Samaria, and those beyond the river: “Peace, and so forth. 18The letter you sent to us has been plainly read before me. 19And I commanded, and search has been made, and it is found that this city from of old has made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made in it. 20There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid to them. 21Now order these men to cease, and that this city not be built, until another order is received from me. 22Take heed now that you do not fail to do this. Why should damage grow to the detriment of the kings?”

23Now when the copy of King Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai, the scribe, and their cohorts, they went up in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.

24Then the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased (or was suspended) until the second year of the reign of Darius, king of Persia.