16 We want you to know, King Artaxerxes, that if this city is rebuilt and its walls fixed, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates.
17 King Artaxerxes sent this answer:To Rehum the governor and Shimshai the secretary, to all their fellow workers living in Samaria, and to those in other places in Trans-Euphrates.Greetings.
18 The letter you sent to us has been translated and read to me.
19 I ordered the records to be searched, and it was done. We found that Jerusalem has a history of disobedience to kings and has been a place of problems and trouble.
20 Jerusalem has had powerful kings who have ruled over the whole area of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes of all kinds have been paid to them.
21 Now, give an order for those men to stop work. The city of Jerusalem will not be rebuilt until I say so.
22 Make sure you do this, because if they continue, it will hurt the government.