21Therefore make a decree that these men be made to cease, and that this city be not rebuilt, until a decree is made by me.
Having misrepresented the facts, Rehum and Shimshai get the result they wanted and they are allowed to force the Jews to stop work on rebuilding the walls.
21 Therefore make a decree that these men be made to cease, and that this city be not rebuilt, until a decree is made by me.