Ezra 4:22

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

Ezra 4:22 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
22 Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
English Standard Version (ESV)
22 And take care not to be slack in this matter. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the king?"
New Living Translation (NLT)
22 Be diligent, and don’t neglect this matter, for we must not permit the situation to harm the king’s interests.”
The Message Bible (MSG)
22 Act quickly and firmly; they've done enough damage to kings!
American Standard Version (ASV)
22 And take heed that ye be not slack herein: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
22 Be careful not to neglect your duty in this matter. Why should I, the king, suffer any more harm?
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
22 See that you not neglect this matter. Otherwise, the damage will increase and the royal interests will suffer.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
22 Pay careful attention to this matter. Why should we let this danger grow? That would not be in our best interests.

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.

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.

Cross References 1

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