Ezra 4:22

22 Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests?

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Ezra 4:22 in Other Translations

KJV

22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

ESV

22 And take care not to be slack in this matter. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the king?"

NLT

22 Be diligent, and don’t neglect this matter, for we must not permit the situation to harm the king’s interests.”

MSG

22 Act quickly and firmly; they've done enough damage to kings!

CSB

22 See that you not neglect this matter. Otherwise, the damage will increase and the royal interests will suffer.

Ezra 4:22 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 4:22

Take heed now that ye fail not to do this
To put his orders into execution, and at once, without any loss of time, oblige the Jews to desist from rebuilding the walls of their city, which he was told they were doing, though a great falsehood:

why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
of him and his successors, to be deprived of their toll, tribute, and customs, and to have insurrections, mutinies, and rebellions, in the dominions belonging to them.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Ezra 4:22 In-Context

20 Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over the whole of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes, tribute and duty were paid to them.

21 Now issue an order to these men to stop work, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.

22 Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests?

23 As soon as the copy of the letter of King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum and Shimshai the secretary and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and compelled them by force to stop.

24 Thus the work on the house of God in Jerusalem came to a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.