9
then wrote Rehum the commander* and Shimshai the scribe and the rest of their colleagues, the judges and the lessergovernors, the officials, the secretaries, the men of Erech, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is, the Elamites,
10
and the rest of the nationswhich the great and honorableOsnappardeported and settled in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the regionbeyond the River. Now
12
let it be known to the king that the Jewswhocame up from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are rebuilding the rebellious and evilcity and are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations.
13
"Now let it be known to the king, that if that city is rebuilt and the walls are finished, they will not paytribute, custom or toll, and it will damage the revenue of the kings.
14
"Nowbecause** we are in the service of the palace, and it is not fitting for us to see the king'sdishonor, therefore* we have sent and informed the king,
15
so that a search may be made in the recordbooks of your fathers. And you will discover in the recordbooks and learn that that city is a rebelliouscity and damaging to kings and provinces, and that they have incitedrevoltwithin it in pastdays; therefore* that city was laidwaste.