22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
22
Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests?
23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
23
As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop.