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.

24 Then the work of the house of God, which is in Jerusalem, was stopped, and this cessation continued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Chapter 5

1 But Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Addah spoke prophetic words in the name of the God of Israel to the Jews who are in Judah and Jerusalem.

2 Then Zerubbabel the son of the Shealtiels, and Joshua the son of Jozadak, arose, and began to build the house of God in Jerusalem, and with them the prophets of God, who strengthened them.

3 And it came to them at that time that Thaphnai, the governor beyond the river, and Shephar-boznai, and their companions, came to them, and thus said unto them, Who hath given you permission to build this house, and to complete these walls?

4 Then we told them the names of the people who were building this building.

5 But the eye of God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not rebuke them, until they had sent the matter to Darius, and until the decision of the matter had come.