{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. {companions: Chaldee, societies}

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.

Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect {peace}, and at such a time. {unto...: or, to Ezra the priest, a perfect scribe of the law of the God of heaven, peace, etc}

And the king of Assyria brought {men} from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed {them} in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.

Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; {the children...: Heb. the sons of the transportation}

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute {is due}; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which {are} in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.

Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect {peace}, and at such a time. {unto...: or, to Ezra the priest, a perfect scribe of the law of the God of heaven, peace, etc}

Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, {even} the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks: