Ezra 4:16-18

New International Reader's Version

¹⁶ We want you to know that this city shouldn’t be rebuilt. Its walls shouldn’t be made like new again. If that happens, you won’t have anything left west of the Euphrates River.

¹⁷ The king replied,

I am writing this letter to Rehum, the commanding officer. I am also writing it to Shimshai the secretary. And I am writing it to your friends living in Samaria and in other places west of the Euphrates River.

I give you my greetings.

¹⁸ The letter you sent us has been read to me. It has been explained to me in my language.