Ezra 4:10-12
Contemporary English Version
8-10 [a] A letter was also written to Artaxerxes about Jerusalem by Governor Rehum, Secretary Shimshai, and their advisors, including the judges, the governors, the officials, and the local leaders. They were joined in writing this letter by people from Erech and Babylonia, the Elamites from Susa,[b] and people from other foreign nations that the great and famous Ashurbanipal[c] had forced to settle in Samaria and other parts of Western Province.[d]
11 This letter said:
Your Majesty King Artaxerxes, we are your servants from everywhere in Western Province, and we send you our greetings.
12 You should know that the Jews who left your country have moved back to Jerusalem and are now rebuilding that rebellious city. In fact, they have almost finished rebuilding the walls and repairing the foundations.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 4.8-10 Ezra 4.8—6.18 was written in Aramaic, instead of Hebrew like most of the Old Testament.
- 4.8-10 the judges … Susa: One possible translation for the names and titles.
- 4.8-10 Ashurbanipal: King of Assyria 669–633 (or possibly 627) b.c. In Aramaic the king's name is “Osnapper,” but he is better known as Ashurbanipal.
- 4.8-10 Western Province: The land from the Euphrates River west to the Mediterranean Sea.
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