Ezra 4:19-21

Expanded Bible

¹⁹ I ordered ·the records to be searched [^La search], and it was done. We found that ·Jerusalem [^Lthe city] has a history of ·disobedience to [rising against] kings and has been a place of ·problems and trouble [rebellion and revolt/sedition]. ²⁰ Jerusalem has had powerful kings who have ruled over the whole area of Trans-Euphrates [v. 10], and ·taxes of all kinds [^Ltribute, custom, and toll] have been paid to them. ²¹ Now, ·give an order [issue a decree] for those men to stop work. The city of Jerusalem will not be rebuilt until I ·say so [issue a decree].