Ezra 4:21-23

Lexham English Bible

²¹ So now, issue forth a decree that these men stop and this city not be built, until a decree is issued from me. ²² And be careful not to be negligent on this matter. Why should damage grow to hurt kings?”

²³ Then when a copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read before Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates they returned in a hurry to Jerusalem against the Jews and they stopped them by force and power.