Ezra 4:11-13

New International Version

¹¹(This is a copy of the letter they sent him.)

To King Artaxerxes,

From your servants in Trans-Euphrates:

¹²The king should know that the people who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring the walls and repairing the foundations.^(A)

¹³Furthermore, the king should know that if this city is built and its walls are restored, no more taxes, tribute or duty^(B) will be paid, and eventually the royal revenues will suffer.^[a]

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Footnotes

Ezra 4:13 The meaning of the Aramaic for this clause is uncertain.

Ezra 4:16

New International Version

¹⁶We inform the king that if this city is built and its walls are restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates.

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Ezra 4:16 in all English translations

Ezra 4:23

New International Version

²³As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates,^(A) they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop.

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Ezra 4:23 in all English translations