Ezra 4:11-16

11this is a copy of the letter which they sent to him:

“To King Artaxerxes: Your servants, the men of the region beyond the Euphrates River; and now 12let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are rebuilding 1the rebellious and evil city and 2are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. 13Now let it be known to the king, that if that city is rebuilt and the walls are finished, 3they will not pay tribute, custom tax, or toll, and it will 4be detrimental to the revenue of the kings. 14Now because we 5are in the service of the palace, and it is not fitting for us to see the king’s shame, for this reason we have sent word and informed the king, 15so that a search may be conducted in the record books of your fathers. And you will discover in the record books and learn that that city is a rebellious city and detrimental to kings and provinces, and that they have revolted within it in past days; for this reason that city was laid waste. 16We are informing the king that if that city is rebuilt and the walls finished, then as a result of this you will have no possession in the province beyond the Euphrates River.”