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Ezra 4:17-24
New English Translation
Ezra 4:17-24
New English Translation
17 The king sent the following response:
“To Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues who live in Samaria and other parts of Trans-Euphrates: Greetings![a] 18 The letter you sent to us has been translated and read in my presence. 19 So I gave orders,[b] and it was determined[c] that this city from long ago has been engaging in insurrection against kings. It has continually engaged in[d] rebellion and revolt. 20 Powerful kings have been over Jerusalem who ruled throughout the entire Trans-Euphrates[e] and who were the beneficiaries of[f] tribute, custom, and toll. 21 Now give orders that these men cease their work and that this city not be rebuilt until such time as I so instruct.[g] 22 Exercise appropriate caution so that there is no negligence in this matter. Why should danger increase to the point that the king sustains damage?”
23 Then, as soon as the copy of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read in the presence of Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues, they proceeded promptly to the Jews in Jerusalem[h] and stopped them with threat of armed force.[i]
24 So the work on the temple of God in Jerusalem came to a halt. It remained halted until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.[j]
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- Ezra 4:17 tn Aram “peace.”
- Ezra 4:19 tn Aram “from me was placed a decree.”
- Ezra 4:19 tn Aram “and they searched and found.”
- Ezra 4:19 tn Aram “are being done.”
- Ezra 4:20 sn The statement that prior Jewish kings ruled over the entire Trans-Euphrates is an overstatement. Not even in the days of David and Solomon did the kingdom of Israel extend its borders to such an extent.
- Ezra 4:20 tn Aram “were being given to them.”
- Ezra 4:21 tn Aram “until a command is issued from me.”
- Ezra 4:23 tn Aram “to Jerusalem against the Jews.”
- Ezra 4:23 tn Aram “by force and power,” a hendiadys.
- Ezra 4:24 sn Darius I Hystaspes ruled Persia ca. 522-486 b.c.
Ezra 4:17-24
Common English Bible
Ezra 4:17-24
Common English Bible
Artaxerxes responds
17 The king sent this answer:
Greetings to Rehum the royal deputy and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their colleagues who live in Samaria and elsewhere in the province Beyond the River. 18 The entire letter that you sent to us has been read in translation for me. 19 I issued an order; they searched and discovered that this city has revolted against kings over a long period of time. There has been much rebellion and revolt there. 20 However, there have been mighty kings over Jerusalem who also ruled over the whole province Beyond the River. Tribute and taxes and dues were paid to them.
21 Therefore, issue an order to stop these people: this city is not to be rebuilt until I make a decree. 22 Be sure to carry out this order! Why should danger grow and threaten the king?
23 When the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe and their colleagues, they hurried to Jerusalem to oppose the Jews and made them stop by force of arms.[a] 24 At that time the work on God’s house in Jerusalem stopped and was suspended until the second year of the rule of Persia’s King Darius.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ezra 4:23 Or power and force
Ezra 4:17-24
New International Version
Ezra 4:17-24
New International Version
17 The king sent this reply:
To Rehum the commanding officer, Shimshai the secretary and the rest of their associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in Trans-Euphrates:(A)
Greetings.
18 The letter you sent us has been read and translated in my presence. 19 I issued an order and a search was made, and it was found that this city has a long history of revolt(B) against kings and has been a place of rebellion and sedition. 20 Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates,(C) and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them. 21 Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order. 22 Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests?(D)
23 As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates,(E) they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop.
24 Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius(F) king of Persia.
New English Translation (NET)
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Common English Bible (CEB)
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
New International Version (NIV) 
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