10 and the rest of the nations which Asnaphar the great and glorious carried away, and settled in the cities of Samaria, and in other cities beyond the river, and so forth.

11 And this is a copy of the letter which was sent to him, To King Ahasuerus, thy servants, and the people who dwell beyond the river, and so forth.

12 Let it be known to the king that the Jews who have gone out from thee have come to us in Jerusalem, and are building this rebellious and worthless city, and are making walls, and making foundations, and have repaired worse.

13 And let it be known to the king, that if this city be built, and the walls rebuilt, neither tribute, nor tax, nor duty shall be given, and the king's treasury shall be damaged.

14 Since we eat salt from the king's palace, and we cannot see the damage to the king, therefore we send a report to the king:

15 Let them search in the book of remembrance of thy fathers, and thou shalt find it in the book of remembrance, and thou shalt know that this city is a rebellious city, and harmful to kings and provinces, and that there have been falling away in it for a long time, wherefore this city is desolate.

16 Wherefore we make unto the king, that if this city be completed, and the walls thereof finished, thou shalt have no dominion beyond the river.

17 And the king sent an answer to Rehum the counselor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions who dwell in Samaria, and in the other cities beyond the river: Peace... and so on.

18 The letter which you sent us has been distinctly read before me;

19 And a command was given from me, and they searched, and found that this city had long ago rebelled against kings, and there were tumults and tumults in it,

20 and that there were mighty kings in Jerusalem, and possessed all the river, and they were given tribute, taxes, and duties.

21 Therefore give an order that these people shall cease to work, and that this city shall not be built, until a command has been given from me.

E-22 And be careful not to overdo it. Why allow the multiplication of harmful things to the detriment of kings?

23 And as soon as this letter of king Ahasuerus had been read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their companions, they immediately went up to Jerusalem to the Jews, and with a strong armed hand stopped their work.