Ezr 4:12-16 | NASB1995 | STEP | let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem ; they are rebuilding the rebellious and evil city and are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations .

Ezra 4:12-16

12 let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are rebuilding ^athe rebellious and evil city and ^bare finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. 13 “Now let it be known to the king, that if that city is rebuilt and the walls are finished, ^cthey will not pay tribute, custom or toll, and it will damage the revenue of the kings. 14 “Now because we ^{▼▼ Lit eat the salt}are in the service of the palace, and it is not fitting for us to see the king’s dishonor, therefore we have sent and informed the king, 15 so that a search may be made in the record books of your fathers. And you will discover in the record books and learn that that city is a rebellious city and damaging to kings and provinces, and that they have incited revolt within it in past days; therefore that city was laid waste. 16 “We inform the king that if that city is rebuilt and the walls finished, as a result you will have no possession in the province beyond the River.”