Ezra 4:8-22

8RehumH7348 the chancellor and ShimshaiH8124 the scribeH5613 wrote a letterH104 against JerusalemH3390 to ArtaxerxesH783 the kingH4430 after this sort:

9RehumH7348 the chancellor, and ShimshaiH8124 the scribeH5613, and the restH7606 of their companions, the Dinaites, and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Shushanchites, the Dehaites, the Elamites,

10and the restH7606 of the peoples whom the greatH7229 and noble Osnappar brought over and settled in the cities of SamariaH8115, and the restH7606 [of the country] on this side the riverH5103, and so forth.

11This is the copyH6573 of the letterH104 that they sent to him: To ArtaxerxesH783 the kingH4430: Thy servantsH5649 the menH606 on this side the riverH5103, and so forth.

12Be it knownH3046 to the kingH4430 that the JewsH3062 who cameH858 up from thee unto us have comeH858 to JerusalemH3390; they are buildingH1124 the rebellious and the bad cityH7149, and they complete the wallsH7792 and join up the foundationsH787.

13Be it knownH3046 therefore unto the kingH4430, that, if this cityH7149 be builtH1124 and the wallsH7792 be completed, they will not pay tributeH4061, tax, and tollH1983, and in the end it will bring damage to the kingsH4430.

14NowH3705, since we eat the saltH4416 of the palaceH1965, and it is not right for us to seeH2370 the king's injury, therefore have we sent and informed the kingH4430;

15that searchH1240 may be madeH3046 in the bookH5609 of the annals of thy fathersH2: so shalt thou findH7912 in the bookH5609 of the annals and knowH3046 that this cityH7149 is a rebellious cityH7149, which has done damage to kingsH4430 and provincesH4083, and that they have raised sedition within the same of old time, for which cause this cityH7149 was destroyed.

16We inform the kingH4430 that if this cityH7149 be builtH1124 and its wallsH7792 be completed, by this means thou shalt have no portionH2508 on this side the riverH5103.

17The kingH4430 sent an answer to RehumH7348 the chancellor, and ShimshaiH8124 the scribeH5613, and the restH7606 of their companions that dwell in SamariaH8115, and the other places beyond the riverH5103: PeaceH8001, and so forth.

18The letter that ye sent to us has been readH7123 before me distinctly.

19And I gave orders, and searchH1240 has been made, and it has been foundH7912 that this cityH7149 of old time has made insurrection against the kingsH4430, and that rebellion and sedition have been raised therein.

20And there have been mighty kingsH4430 over JerusalemH3390, who have ruled over all beyond the riverH5103; and tributeH4061, tax, and tollH1983 were paid to them.

21NowH3705 give order to makeH7761 these menH1400 to ceaseH989, and that this cityH7149 be not builtH1124, until the order shall be given from me;

22and take heed that ye fail not to do this: whyH4101 should harm grow to the damage of the kingsH4430?