19
If this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, the people will stop paying taxes and will even rebel against royal authority.
20
Since work on the Temple has already begun, we consider it appropriate not to overlook such an important matter
21
but to bring it to the attention of Your Majesty. Then, if it seems proper to you, a search may be made in the records your ancestors kept.
22
You will find information about these matters in the historical records, and you will discover that this city has always been rebellious and given trouble to other cities and kings.
23
The Jews have used it from ancient times as a base for rebellions and wars. That is why the city was destroyed.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.