Ezra 4:7-23

The Voice

¹¹ King Artaxerxes,

We, your servants who live beyond the Euphrates River, are compelled to report to you the treasonous actions of the Jews.

¹² The Jews whom your predecessors sent to Jerusalem are busy rebuilding the city, its fortifications, and its foundations with the intention of rebelling against you. ¹³ If they succeed, dear king, they will stop paying your required tribute, customs, and tolls, and your revenue will suffer.

¹⁴ Since we are your servants and the government’s representatives to these foreigners, we are offended by any actions taken against you and are informing you of these actions. ¹⁵ We suggest that if you read your predecessors’ court documents and learn about the history of the Jews of Jerusalem, you will find that they are notoriously rebellious, harming kings and provinces and instigating revolts. Their actions caused your ancestors to destroy Jerusalem and exile its inhabitants.

¹⁶ We recommend that you, our king, act quickly. If those fortifications are completed, then you will lose your provinces west of the Euphrates to a Jerusalem-led rebellion.

¹⁷ Loyal ones in Samaria,

Greetings. ¹⁸ Your letter was carefully read and translated in my court, and I have addressed your concerns.

¹⁹ I issued a decree that my servants investigate the history of Jerusalem. They discovered that your fears are not unfounded. In the past Jerusalem has indeed rebelled and revolted against kings— ²⁰ mighty kings who ruled Jerusalem, governed provinces west of the Euphrates, and required tributes, customs, and tolls from their subjects.

²¹ Now you must issue a decree of your own. Order the Jews to stop building in Jerusalem until I tell them otherwise. ²² Do not be indifferent in your handling of this matter. This threat cannot be allowed to harm the empire.