15. and were carried back by Sanabassar, together with them of the captivity, from Babylon to Jerusalem.
16. But in the time of Artaxerxes king of the Persians Belemus, and Mithradates, and Tabellius, and Rathumus, and Beeltethmus, and Samellius the scribe, with the others that were in commission with them, dwelling in Samaria and other places, wrote to him against them that lived in Judaea and Jerusalem the letter following:
17. To king Artaxerxes our Lord, Your servants, Rathumus the storywriter, and Samellius the scribe, and the rest of their council, and the judges that are in Coelesyria and Phoenicia.
18. Be it now known to our lord the king, that the Jews that are come up from you to us, being come to Jerusalem, do build that rebellious and wicked city, and do repair the marketplaces and the walls of it, and do lay the foundation of a temple.
19. Now if this city be builded and the walls thereof be finished, they will not only refuse to give tribute, but will even stand up 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,
21. but to speak to our lord the king, to the intent that, if it be your pleasure, search may be made in the books of your fathers:
22. and you shall find in the chronicles what is written concerning these things, and shall understand that that city was rebellious, troubling both kings and cities:
23. and that the Jews were rebellious, and raised always wars therein of old time; for the which cause even this city was laid waste.
24. Wherefore now we do declare to you, O lord the king, that if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up anew, you shall from henceforth have no passage into Coelesyria and Phoenicia.