Ezra 4:14-16

New International Version

¹⁴ Now since we are under obligation to the palace and it is not proper for us to see the king dishonored, we are sending this message to inform the king, ¹⁵ so that a search may be made in the archives^(A) of your predecessors. In these records you will find that this city is a rebellious city, troublesome to kings and provinces, a place with a long history of sedition. That is why this city was destroyed.^{(B) 16} We inform the king that if this city is built and its walls are restored, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates.