Ezra 4:13-20

13Now let it be known to the king, that if that city is rebuilt and the walls are finished, 1they will not pay tribute, custom tax, or toll, and it will 2be detrimental to the revenue of the kings. 14Now because we 3are 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.”

17Then the king sent a response to Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their colleagues who live in Samaria and in the rest of the provinces beyond the Euphrates River: “Peace. And now, 18the document which you sent to us has been 45translated and read before me. 19And a decree has been 6issued by me, and a search has been conducted and it has been discovered that that city has risen up against the kings in past days, and that rebellion and revolt have been perpetrated in it, 207that mighty kings have 8ruled over Jerusalem, governing all the provinces 9beyond the Euphrates River, and that 10tribute, custom tax, and toll were paid to them.