Ezra 4:20-22

New International Reader's Version

²⁰ Jerusalem has had powerful kings. Some of them ruled over everything west of the Euphrates. Taxes, gifts and fees were paid to them. ²¹ So give an order to those men. Make them stop their work. Then the city won’t be rebuilt until I give the order. ²² Pay careful attention to this matter. Why should we let this danger grow? That would not be in our best interests.