Adversaries Hinder the Work

1When the enemies of Judah (praised) and Benjamin (son of the right hand) heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), 2they approached Zerubbabel (sown in Babylon) and the heads of the families, saying, “Let us build with you⁺ because, like you⁺, we seek your⁺ God {Elohehem} and have been sacrificing to Him since the time of King Esar-haddon (Ashur has given a brother) of Assyria (a step), who brought us here.”

3But Zerubbabel (sown in Babylon), Jeshua (he is saved), and the other heads of the families of Israel (he wrestles with God) replied, “You⁺ have no part with us in building a house for our God {Elohehenu}, since we alone must build it for the LORD {YHWH}, the God of Israel, as Cyrus (possess the furnace) king of Persia (pure / splendid) has commanded us.”

4Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah (praised) and make them afraid to build. 5They hired counselors against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of Cyrus (possess the furnace) king of Persia (pure / splendid) and down to the reign of Darius (lord) king of Persia.

Opposition under Xerxes and Artaxerxes

6At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes {Ahasuerus},a an accusation was lodged against the people of Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace).

7And in the days of Artaxerxes king (I will make the spoiled to boil) of Persia (pure / splendid), Bishlam (in peace), Mithredath (given by Mithra), Tabeel (God is good), and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. It was written in Aramaic (language) and then translated.b

8Rehum (compassion) the commander and Shimshai (sunny) the scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem (city of peace) to King Artaxerxes (I will make the spoiled to boil) as follows:

9From Rehum (compassion) the commander, Shimshai (sunny) the scribe, and the rest of their associates—the judges (judgment) and officials over Tripolis (they of the fallen mountain), Persia, Erech (lengthy) and Babylon (confusion by mixing), the Elamites of Susa, 10and the rest of the peoples whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal (Osnappar)c deported and settled in the cities of Samaria (watch mountain) and elsewhere west of the Euphrates (beyond the River).d

11(This is the text of the letter they sent to him.)

To King Artaxerxes (I will make the spoiled to boil),

From your servants, the men west of the Euphrates:

12Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem (city of peace) and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring its walls and repairing its foundations.

13Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer.

14Now because we are in the service of the palace \because the salt of the palace is our salt/e and it is not fitting for us to allow the king to be dishonored, we have sent to inform the king 15that a search should be made of the record books of your fathers. In these books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, inciting sedition from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.

16We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, you will have no dominion west of the Euphrates.

The Decree of Artaxerxes

17Then the king sent this reply:

To Rehum (compassion) the commander, Shimshai (sunny) the scribe, and the rest of your associates living in Samaria (watch mountain) and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates:

Greetings.

18The letter you⁺ sent us has been translated and read in my presence. 19I issued a decree, and a search was conducted. It was discovered that this city has revolted against kings from ancient times, engaging in rebellion and sedition. 20And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem (city of peace) and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them.

21Now, therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order. 22See that you do not neglect this matter. Why allow this threat to increase and the royal interests to suffer?

23When the text of the letter from King Artaxerxes (I will make the spoiled to boil) was read to Rehum (compassion), Shimshai (sunny) the scribe, and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem (city of peace) and forcibly stopped them.

24Thus the construction of the house of God in Jerusalem (city of peace) ceased, and it remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius (lord) king of Persia (pure / splendid).