Ezra 4:21-23

Amplified Bible

²¹ So, now issue a decree to make these men stop [work], so that this city is not rebuilt until a [new] command is issued by me. ²² Beware of being negligent in carrying out this matter. Why should damage increase to the detriment of the kings?”

²³ Then as soon as the copy of King Artaxerxes’ document was read before Rehum and Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues, they went up hurriedly to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them stop [work] by force of arms.