6And in the royalty of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his royalty, they wrote an accusation upon the dwellers of Judah and Jerusalem.7And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the remnant of his associates wrote upon Artaxerxes king of Persia; the writing of the letter was written in Aramaic and translated in Aramaic.8Rehum master of taste and Shimshai the scribe wrote one letter upon Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this manner.9Then Rehum master of taste and Shimshai the scribe and the remnant of their associates—the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarplites, the Apharsites, the Archites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites (that is, the Dehaites and the Elamites)—10and the remnant of the peoples whom Osnappar the great and honorable removed and settled in the cities of Samaria and the remnant across the river, and now11this is the copy of the letter that they sent to Artaxerxes the king: Your servants, the men across the river, and now12let it be known to the king that the Judahites who went up from with you came upon us to Jerusalem, the rebellious and bad city; they are building the walls, finishing the walls, and repairing the foundations.13Now let it be known to the king that if that city is built and the walls are finished, they will not give tribute, poll tax, and custom, and the revenue of the kings will suffer damage.14Now therefore, because we have eaten the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to see the nakedness of the king, we have sent upon this matter and made it known to the king.15that he should search in the book of the records of your fathers; you will find in the book of the records and know that the city is a rebellious city, damaging to kings and provinces, and that rebellion has been carried on in her midst from days of old; on account of this that city was laid waste.16We are making known to the king that if that city is built and the walls are finished, therefore you will have no portion across the river.17The king sent the word to Rehum master of taste and Shimshai the scribe and the remnant of their associates who dwell in Samaria and the remnant across the river: Peace, and now18the letter that you sent to us has been read and explained before me.19And from me a decree was issued; they searched and found that the city from days of old has risen against kings, and that rebellion and revolt have been done in it.20And strong kings were over Jerusalem and ruling over all across the river, and tribute, poll tax, and custom were given to them.21Now set a decree to cause these men to cease, and let that city not be built until a decree is set from me.22And be warned; do not neglect to act upon this, lest damage grow to the damage of the kings.23Then, from the copy of the letter that Artaxerxes the king had read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their associates, they went in haste to Jerusalem against the Judahites and caused them to cease by force of arm.24Then the work of the house of God that is in Jerusalem ceased, and it remained ceased until the second year of the royalty of Darius king of Persia.