Ezra 4

Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel;

When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin learned that the returned captives were rebuilding the temple for the Lord God of Israel, they were filled with a mix of emotions.

Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither.

They approached Zerubbabel and the elders, pleading, "Let us help you build. We, too, seek your God and have worshipped Him since the time of King Esarhaddon of Assur, who led us here."

But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.

Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders of Israel firmly told them, "You have no part in building a temple for our God. We alone will build it for the Lord God of Israel, as King Cyrus of Persia has instructed us."

Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,

The locals drained the strength and spirit of the people of Judah, causing distress as they tried to build.

And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

They employed advisors to undermine them, disrupting their plans throughout King Cyrus' reign in Persia, and continuing until King Darius' rule.

And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

During Ahasuerus's early reign, they penned a bitter complaint against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.

During the reign of King Artaxerxes, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and their friends penned a letter to the king of Persia. This letter was written and translated in the Syrian language.

Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:

Rehum the chief officer and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes. It read as follows:

Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,

Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe, along with their allies - the Dinaites, Apharsathchites, Tarpelites, Apharsites, Archevites, Babylonians, Susanchites, Dehavites, and Elamites, all put pen to paper.

And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnapper brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time.

The remaining people, whom the respected Asnapper relocated to the cities of Samaria and those living across the river, were all settled at a specific time.

This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.

This is the heartfelt message they sent to him, to King Artaxerxes; from your loyal subjects living across the river, at that particular moment.

Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.

Dear King, please understand that the Jews who left your kingdom to join us have now moved to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding the city, known for its rebellion and negativity. They've already started constructing the walls and laying the foundations.

Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.

Dear King, understand this - if this city is rebuilt and its walls raised again, they will no longer pay taxes or fees. This will hurt the royal treasury.

Now because we have maintenance from the king’s palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king’s dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;

We receive support from the king's palace, and it's not right for us to witness the king's disgrace. So, we've informed the king with deep concern and respect.

That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.

Look into your ancestors' history, and you'll discover that this city has always been defiant and harmful to rulers and regions. It has a long history of stirring up trouble, which led to its downfall.

We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.

We assure you, dear king, if this city is rebuilt and its walls rise again, you will lose your claim to the lands across the river.

Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.

The king responded to Rehum the chancellor, Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues in Samaria and beyond the river, wishing them peace at that moment.

The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me.

The letter you sent has been clearly read and understood by me.

And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.

I ordered an investigation and discovered that this city has a long history of rebelling against rulers, filled with defiance and unrest.

There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all countries beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.

Powerful kings have reigned over Jerusalem, their rule extending beyond the river. They were respected and paid with taxes and tributes.

Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.

Order these men to stop now, don't let this city be built until I give further instructions.

Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

Be careful not to neglect this duty; why let harm escalate to the detriment of our leaders?

Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.

When King Artaxerxes' letter was read to Rehum, Shimshai, and their allies, they quickly rushed to Jerusalem. Filled with urgency, they used their might to forcefully halt the Jews' activities.

Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

The construction of God's house in Jerusalem came to a standstill. It remained so until the second year of King Darius's rule in Persia.