Ezra 4:14-16
International Standard Version
14 Now, because we are royal employees[a] and are committed to preserving the reputation of the king, we have written to the king and have declared its contents to be true,[b] 15 urging[c] that a search may be made in the official registers of your predecessors.[d] You will discover in the registers that[e] this city is a rebellious city, that it is damaging to both kings and provinces, that it has been moved to sedition from time immemorial, and that because of this it was destroyed.
16 We certify to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls completed, you will lose your land holdings in the province beyond the Euphrates[f] River.
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