17 To king Artaxerxes, my lord, your servants Raphim, the writer of events, and Samellius the scribe, and the rest of their council, and the judges who are in Coele-Syria and Phoenicia.

18 Let it now be known to the lord the king that the Jews who have come out from you to us, having come to Jerusalem, that apostate and treacherous city, are building its squares, rebuilding the walls, and laying the foundation of the temple.

19 Therefore if this city be rebuilt and its walls finished, they will not only refuse to pay taxes, but will also rebel against the kings.

20 And when the building of the temple had already begun, we declared it good not to despise it,

21 But to inform the lord king, whether it is not good for thee to look in the books of thy fathers.

22 And thou shalt find a record of it in the books of remembrance, and thou shalt know that this city was a traitor, and troubled kings and cities,

23 but the Jews are apostates, who have always conspired in it, for which reason this city was laid waste.

24 Therefore we now inform you, lord king, that if this city be built and its walls restored, there will be no passage for you to Cele-Syria and Phoenicia.

25 Then the king wrote in reply to Raphim, the describer of the events, and to Beeltefmus, and Samellius the scribe, and to the rest who agreed with them, and dwelt in Samaria, and in Syria, and in Phoenicia, as follows:

26 And I read the letter which you sent to me, and commanded it to be examined; and it was found that this city had long rebelled against kings;

27 And these men stirred up rebellions and wars in it, and there were kings in Jerusalem mighty and mighty, who possessed and collected tribute from Coele-Syria and Phoenicia.

28 And now I have commanded that these men be forbidden to build this city, and to see that nothing more is done

29 and that the wicked enterprises should not prosper any further, to the trouble of the kings.

30 And when they had read the writings of King Ahasuerus, Raphim and Samellius, the scribe, and those who agreed with them, went hastily to Jerusalem with the cavalry and the militia of the people