14
In all there were 5,469 gold and silver bowls and other utensils,
15
and Sheshbazzar took these with him when he and the other exiles went from Babylon to Jerusalem.
16
In the reign of Emperor Artaxerxes of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, Rehum, Beltethmus, Shimshai the secretary of the province, and their associates who lived in Samaria and elsewhere wrote the following letter in protest against the Jews who were living in Judah and Jerusalem:
17
"To Your Majesty Emperor Artaxerxes from your servants, the official correspondent Rehum, the secretary Shimshai, the other members of the council, and the judges of Greater Syria and Phoenicia.
18
"We want Your Majesty to know that the Jews who came here from your other territories have settled in Jerusalem and are rebuilding that evil and rebellious city. They are restoring the marketplaces, repairing the walls, and laying the foundations for a Temple.
19
If this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, the people will stop paying taxes and will even rebel against royal authority.
20
Since work on the Temple has already begun, we consider it appropriate not to overlook such an important matter
21
but to bring it to the attention of Your Majesty. Then, if it seems proper to you, a search may be made in the records your ancestors kept.
22
You will find information about these matters in the historical records, and you will discover that this city has always been rebellious and given trouble to other cities and kings.
23
The Jews have used it from ancient times as a base for rebellions and wars. That is why the city was destroyed.
24
We therefore declare to you that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, Your Majesty will no longer be able to enter Greater Syria and Phoenicia."