Ezra 4:17-24

17Thensent the kingH4430 an answer unto RehumH7348 the chancellor, and to ShimshaiH8124 the scribeH5613, and to the restH7606 of their companions that dwell in SamariaH8115, and in the restH7606 of the country beyond the RiverH5103: PeaceH8001, and so forth. 18The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly readH7123 before me. 19And I decreed, and searchH1240 hath been made, and it is foundH7912 that this cityH7149 of old time hath made insurrection against kingsH4430, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein. 20There have been mighty kingsH4430 also over JerusalemH3390, who have ruled over all the country beyond the RiverH5103; and tributeH4061, custom, and tollH1983, was paid unto them. 21MakeH7761 ye nowH3705 a decreeH2942 to cause these menH1400 to ceaseH989, and that this cityH7149 be not builded, until a decreeH2942 shall be madeH7761 by me. 22And take heed that ye be not slack herein: whyH4101 should damage grow to the hurt of the kingsH4430?

23ThenH116 when the copyH6573 of kingH4430 Artaxerxes’ letter was readH7123 before RehumH7348, and ShimshaiH8124 the scribeH5613, and their companions, they went in haste to JerusalemH3390 unto the JewsH3062, and made them to ceaseH989 by force and power. 24ThenH116 ceasedH989 the workH5673 of the houseH1005 of GodH426 which is at JerusalemH3390; and it ceasedH989 until the second yearH8140 of the reignH4437 of DariusH1868 kingH4430 of PersiaH6540.