Ezra 4:12-14

New American Standard Bible

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 ^(A)the rebellious and evil city and ^(B)are 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, ^(C)they will not pay tribute, custom tax, or toll, and it will ^[a]be detrimental to the revenue of the kings. ¹⁴ Now because we ^[b]are in the service of the palace, and it is not fitting for us to see the king’s shame, for this reason we have sent word and informed the king,