16
But in the time of Artaxerxes king of the Persians, Bishlam, and Mithredath, and Tabeel, and Rehum, and Beeltethmus, and Shimshai the secretary, with others who were in commission with them, dwelling in Samaria and other places, wrote unto him against those who dwelt in Judea and Jerusalem these letters following:
17
To King Artaxerxes our lord, thy servants Rehum the recorder, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their council, and the judges who are in Coelesyria and Phoenicia:
18
Be it now known to the lord the king that the Jews who have come up from you to us, having come into Jerusalem, that rebellious and wicked city, do build the marketplaces and repair the walls of it and lay the foundation of the temple.
19
Now if this city and the walls thereof be made up again, they will not only refuse to give tribute, but also rebel against kings.
20
And forasmuch as the things pertaining to the temple are now in hand, we think it meet not to neglect such a matter,