17
"To King Artaxerxes our lord, your servants the recorder Rehum and the scribe Shimshai and the other members of their council, and the judges in Coelesyria and Phoenicia:
18
Let it now be known to our lord the king that the Jews who came up from you to us have gone to Jerusalem and are building that rebellious and wicked city, repairing its market places and walls and laying the foundations for a temple.
19
Now if this city is built and the walls finished, they will not only refuse to pay tribute but will even resist kings.
20
Since the building of the temple is now going on, we think it best not to neglect such a matter,
21
but to speak to our lord the king, in order that, if it seems good to you, search may be made in the records of your ancestors.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.