Ezra 4:14-16

Evangelical Heritage Version

¹⁴ Now because we are duty-bound by an oath to the King^[a] and do not wish to see the King dishonored, for that reason we are sending this letter to inform the King, ¹⁵ so that a search may be made in the book containing the memoranda of your predecessors. In this book of memoranda you will discover and come to know that this city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, producing rebellions within it from days of old. For this reason that city was destroyed. ¹⁶ We are informing the King that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, then, because of that, you will retain possession of no portion of the Trans-Euphrates.