Ezra 4:8-16

Ezra 4:8-16

[8] Rehum  the chancellor  and Shimshai  the scribe  wrote  letter  against  Jerusalem  to Artaxerxes  the king  in this sort:  [9] Then  wrote Rehum  the chancellor,  and Shimshai  the scribe,  and the rest  of their companions;  the Dinaites,  the Apharsathchites,  the Tarpelites,  the Apharsites,  the Archevites,  the Babylonians,  the Susanchites,  and the Elamites,  [10] And the rest  of the nations  whom  the great  and noble  Asnappar  brought over,  and set  in the cities  of Samaria,  and the rest  that are on this side  the river,  and at such a time.  [11] This  is the copy  of the letter  that  they sent  unto him,  even unto Artaxerxes  the king;  Thy servants  the men  on this side  the river,  and at such a time.  [12] Be it  known  unto the king,  that the Jews  which  came up  from  thee  to us  are come  unto Jerusalem,  the rebellious  and the bad  city,  and have set up  the walls  thereof, and joined  the foundations.  [13] Be it known  now  unto the king,  that, if  this  city  be builded,  and the walls  set up  again, then will they not  pay  toll,  tribute,  and custom,  and so thou shalt endamage  the revenue  of the kings.  [14] Now  because  we have  maintenance  from the king's palace,  and it was not  meet  for us to see  the king's  dishonour,  therefore  have we sent  and certified  the king;  [15] That search  may be made in the book  of the records  of thy fathers:  so shalt thou find  in the book  of the records,  and know  that this  city  is a rebellious  city,  and hurtful  unto kings  and provinces,  and that they have moved  sedition  within the same  of  old  time:  for  which  cause was this  city  destroyed.  [16] We  certify  the king  that, if  this  city  be builded  again, and the walls  thereof set up,  by this  means  thou shalt have  no  portion  on this side  the river.