Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.

For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause {some} to fall.

Their feet {are} swift to shed blood:

{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}

Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: {scribe: or, secretary}

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built.

The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and his companions the Apharsachites, which {were} on this side the river, sent unto Darius the king:

Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, {even} of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered. {I make...: Chaldee, by me a decree is made} {hindered: Chaldee, made to cease}

Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.