Ezra 4:14-16

21st Century King James Version

¹⁴ Now because we have maintenance from the king’s palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king’s dishonor, therefore have we sent and certified this to the king,

¹⁵ that search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers. So shalt thou find in the book of the records and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same in old times, for which cause this city was destroyed.

¹⁶ We certify to the king that if this city be built again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side of the river.”