Ezra 4:17-19

Living Bible

¹⁷ Then the king made this reply to Governor Rehum and Shimshai the scribe, and to their companions living in Samaria and throughout the area west of the Euphrates River:

¹⁸ “Gentlemen: Greetings! The letter you sent has been translated and read to me. ¹⁹ I have ordered a search made of the records and have indeed found that Jerusalem has in times past been a hotbed of insurrection against many kings; in fact, rebellion and sedition are normal there!