¹⁸The letter you sent me has been read word for word in my presence. ¹⁹I gave the order, and a search was made. I discovered that this city has a long history of uprisings against kings. Its inhabitants are guilty of treason and rebellion. ²⁰Jerusalem has had powerful kings who have ruled the whole ⸤province⸥ west of the Euphrates. Taxes, fees, and tolls were paid to them. ²¹So order these men to stop rebuilding. Keep this city from being rebuilt until I give the order. ²²Be careful not to neglect your duty in this matter. Why should I, the king, suffer any more harm?

²³Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and their group hurried to Jerusalem after hearing a copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter. They forced the Jews to stop rebuilding.

²⁴Then the work on God’s temple in Jerusalem was stopped. Nothing more was done until Darius’ second year as king of Persia.

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