Ezra 4:12-14

International Standard Version

¹² May the king be advised that the Jews who came from you to us have reached Jerusalem and are rebuilding a rebellious and wicked city, having completed its walls and repaired its foundations.

¹³ May the king be further advised that if this city is rebuilt and its walls erected, its citizens^[a] will refuse to pay tributes, taxes, and tariffs, thereby restricting royal revenues.

¹⁴ Now, because we are royal employees^[b] and are committed to preserving the reputation of the king, we have written to the king and have declared its contents to be true,^[c]