1 Esdras 4:4-6

Common English Bible

⁴ If he tells them to make war on each other, they do so; and if he sends them out against the enemy, they march and overcome mountain fortresses, walls, and towers. ⁵ They murder and are murdered, but they don’t disobey the king’s word. If they win a battle, they bring everything to the king—whatever plunder they take and everything else. ⁶ Similarly, for those who don’t serve in the army or make war but farm the land, whenever they sow and reap, they bring some to the king. They force each other to pay taxes to the king.