21. “So now, issue a decree to stop these men—this city is not to be rebuilt until I issue a decree.
22. Be careful not to be negligent in this matter. Why should damage increase to the detriment of the kings?”
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 associates, they hurried off to the Jews in Jerusalem and by force and power compelled them to stop.
24. Thus the work on the House of God in Jerusalem ceased. It remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.