Ezra 4:13-15

The Voice

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.