MLV(i)
11 This is a copy of the letter that they sent to Artaxerxes the king:
Your servants the men beyond the River and so forth. 12 Be it known to the king, that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and the evil city and have finished the walls and repaired the foundations. 13 Be it known now to the king, that, if this city be built and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings.
14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to see the king's dishonor, therefore we have sent and certified to the king, 15 that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. So you will find in the book of the records and know that this city is a rebellious city and hurtful to kings and provinces. And that they have made sedition within the same of old time, for which cause this city was laid waste.
16 We certify to the king that, if this city be built and the walls finished, by this means you will have no portion beyond the River.
Your servants the men beyond the River and so forth. 12 Be it known to the king, that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and the evil city and have finished the walls and repaired the foundations. 13 Be it known now to the king, that, if this city be built and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings.
14 Now because we eat the salt of the palace and it is not fitting for us to see the king's dishonor, therefore we have sent and certified to the king, 15 that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. So you will find in the book of the records and know that this city is a rebellious city and hurtful to kings and provinces. And that they have made sedition within the same of old time, for which cause this city was laid waste.
16 We certify to the king that, if this city be built and the walls finished, by this means you will have no portion beyond the River.