Ezra 4:6-8

Expanded Bible

More Problems for the Builders

⁶ When ·Xerxes [^LAhasuerus; ^Cruled 486–465 bc; Esth. 1:1] first became king, those enemies ·wrote [filed; lodged] a ·letter [^Laccusation] against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

⁷ When Artaxerxes [^Cruled about 465–425 B.C.] became king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and those with them wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. It was written in the Aramaic language and translated.

⁸ Rehum the ·governor [commander] and Shimshai the governor’s ·secretary [scribe] and those with them wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king. It said: