Ezra 4:22
◄  Ezra 4:22  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests?

New Living Translation (©2007)
Be diligent, and don't neglect this matter, for we must not permit the situation to harm the king's interests."

English Standard Version (©2001)
And take care not to be slack in this matter. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the king?”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"Beware of being negligent in carrying out this matter; why should damage increase to the detriment of the kings?"

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
See that you not neglect this matter. Otherwise, the damage will increase and the royal interests will suffer.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Be diligent and take precautions so that you do not neglect your responsibility in this matter. Why should the kingdom sustain any more damage?

NET Bible (©2006)
Exercise appropriate caution so that there is no negligence in this matter. Why should danger increase to the point that kings sustain damage?"

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Be careful not to neglect your duty in this matter. Why should I, the king, suffer any more harm?

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Take heed now that you fail not to do this: why should damage increase to the hurt of the kings?

American King James Version
Take heed now that you fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

American Standard Version
And take heed that ye be not slack herein: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

Douay-Rheims Bible
See that you be not negligent in executing this, lest by little and little the evil grow to the hurt of the kings.

Darby Bible Translation
and take heed that ye fail not to do this: why should harm grow to the damage of the kings?

English Revised Version
And take heed that ye be not slack herein: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

Webster's Bible Translation
Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

World English Bible
Take heed that you not be slack herein: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

Young's Literal Translation
And beware ye of negligence in doing this; why doth the hurt become great to the loss of the kings?'

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

4:6-24 It is an old slander, that the prosperity of the church would be hurtful to kings and princes. Nothing can be more false, for true godliness teaches us to honour and obey our sovereign. But where the command of God requires one thing and the law of the land another, we must obey God rather than man, and patiently submit to the consequences. All who love the gospel should avoid all appearance of evil, lest they should encourage the adversaries of the church. The world is ever ready to believe any accusation against the people of God, and refuses to listen to them. The king suffered himself to be imposed upon by these frauds and falsehoods. Princes see and hear with other men's eyes and ears, and judge things as represented to them, which are often done falsely. But God's judgment is just; he sees things as they are.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Take heed now that ye fail not to do this,.... To put his orders into execution, and at once, without any loss of time, oblige the Jews to desist from rebuilding the walls of their city, which he was told they were doing, though a great falsehood:

why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings? of him and his successors, to be deprived of their toll, tribute, and customs, and to have insurrections, mutinies, and rebellions, in the dominions belonging to them.

Ezra 4:22 Parallel Commentaries

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The Decree of Artaxerxes
…21Give you now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not built, until another commandment shall be given from me. 22Take heed now that you fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings? 23Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.

Ezra 4:21 Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.
Ezra 4:23 As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop.
Daniel 6:2 with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss.