Ezra 4
All 24 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.
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- 1When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the LORD, the God of Israel,
- 2They came to Zerubbabel and to the chief of the fathers, and said to them, "Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do, and we sacrifice to him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, who brought us up here."
- 3But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other family leaders of Israel told them, "You have no part in what we're doing. We will build the temple to the LORD, the God of Israel, by ourselves, just as King Cyrus of Persia commanded us."
- 4Then the local people discouraged the people of Judah and troubled them in their building efforts.
- 5They hired advisors against them to frustrate their purpose throughout the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia, until the reign of Darius, king of Persia.
- 6Later, at the beginning of King Ahasuerus's reign, they wrote an accusation against the people living in Judah and Jerusalem.
- 7During the reign of Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and their companions wrote to King Artaxerxes of Persia. The letter was written in the Syrian language and interpreted in the Syrian language.
- 8Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes in this manner:
- 9Then Rehum the commanding officer, Shimshai the secretary, and the rest of their associates wrote — the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, the Elamites,
- 10and the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnapper brought over and settled in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side of the river, and at such a time.
- 11This is a copy of the letter they sent to King Artaxerxes: 'Your servants, the men on this side of the river, at such a time.'
- 12Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have come to Jerusalem, building the rebellious and bad city. They have set up its walls and joined the foundations.
- 13Let it be known now to the king that if this city is built and the walls set up again, they will not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so you will endamage the revenue of the kings.
- 14Since we are maintained by the king's palace, and it was not right for us to see the king dishonored, we have sent this report to the king.
- 15A search may be made in the historical records of your predecessors. You will find in those records that this city is rebellious and harmful to kings and provinces, and that they have stirred up revolts since ancient times, which is why this city was destroyed.
- 16We inform the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, you will have no share on this side of the river.
- 17Then the king sent this reply to Rehum the chancellor, to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions living in Samaria and the rest beyond the river: "Peace, and greetings.
- 18The letter you sent has been clearly read before me.
- 19I gave the command, and a search was made. It was found that this city has from ancient times risen up against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been carried out there.
- 20There have been mighty kings over Jerusalem who ruled over all the countries beyond the river, and toll, tribute, and custom were paid to them.
- 21Now issue a command to make these men stop, and that this city not be rebuilt until another command is given by me.
- 22Make sure you do not neglect this: why should damage increase to harm the kings?
- 23As soon as the copy of King Artaxerxes' letter was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they hurried to Jerusalem to the Jews and made them stop by force and power.
- 24Then the work on the house of God in Jerusalem stopped. It remained stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius, king of Persia.