Ezra 4:14-16

Expanded Bible

¹⁴ Since we ·must be loyal to the government [^Leat the palace’s salt], ·we don’t want [it is not proper] to see the king ·dishonored [damaged]. So we ·are writing to let the king know [^Lsend and inform the king]. ¹⁵ ·We suggest you […so that you may] search the ·records [annals; archives] of ·the kings who ruled before you [^Lyour fathers/ancestors]. You will find out that the city of Jerusalem ·refuses to obey [^Lis a rebellious city] and ·makes trouble for kings and areas controlled by Persia [troublesome for kings and provinces]. ·Since long ago it has been a place where disobedience has started [It has a long history of revolts/sedition]. That is why it was destroyed. ¹⁶ We want you to know, King Artaxerxes, that if this city is rebuilt and its walls ·fixed [completed; restored], you will be left with ·nothing [no possessions] in Trans-Euphrates [^Cprovinces west of the Euphrates River].