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11 (This is a copy of the letter that they sent to him:) To Artaxerxes the king, from your servants, the men beyond the River, and now, 12 be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have come to Jerusalem; the rebellious and wicked city they are building, and its walls they are finishing, and the foundations they are repairing. 13 Now be it known to the king that if this city is built and the walls are completed, tax, tribute, and custom they will not pay, and the treasury of the king will be diminished. 14 Now according to all that the salt of the palace is our salt, and the nakedness of the king it was not proper for us to see, on account of this we have sent and informed the king, 15 that he may search in the book of the records of your fathers. And you will find in the book of the records, and you will know that this city is a rebellious city, causing loss to kings and provinces, and that they have incited sedition within the city from the days of old. On account of this was this city destroyed. 16 We are making known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, upon this, dominion beyond the River is not unto you. Ezra 4:11-16, Berean Literal Bible. Public domain.
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