Ezra 4:13-15

Complete Jewish Bible

¹³ So let the king know that if this city is rebuilt and the walls are finished, they will refuse to pay tribute, tax or toll; and this will reduce the royal revenue. ¹⁴ Now, because we eat the king’s salt, and it is not right for us to see the king dishonored, we therefore are sending to inform the king, ¹⁵ so that a search can be made in the archives of your ancestors; in these archives you will find and ascertain that this city is indeed a rebellious city, the bane of kings and provinces, and that sedition has been fostered there since ancient times — which is why this city was destroyed.