NET Bible
"Now give orders that these men cease their work and that this city not be rebuilt until such time as I so instruct."
— Ezra 4:21, NET Bible
“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.”
“Make ye now a decree to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until a decree shall be made by me. ”
“Make a decree now to cause these men to cease, and that this city not be built, until a decree shall be made by me.”
“Now therefore hear the sentence: Hinder those men, that this city be not built, till further orders be given by me.”
“Give an order now, that these men are to do nothing more, and that the building of the town is to be stopped, till I give an order.”
“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.”
The letter you sent to us has been translated and read in my presence.
So I gave orders, and it was determined that this city from long ago has been engaging in insurrection against kings. It has continually engaged in rebellion and revolt.
Powerful kings have been over Jerusalem who ruled throughout the entire Trans-Euphrates and who were the beneficiaries of tribute, custom, and toll.
Now give orders that these men cease their work and that this city not be rebuilt until such time as I so instruct.
Exercise appropriate caution so that there is no negligence in this matter. Why should danger increase to the point that kings sustain damage?”
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 and stopped them with threat of armed force.
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.