Ezra 4:20-22

New Century Version

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.