Ezra 4:16-18

Living Bible

¹⁶ We wish to declare that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, you might as well forget about this part of your empire beyond the Euphrates, for it will be lost to you.”

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.