Ezra 4:19-21

New Century Version

¹⁹ I ordered the records to be searched, and it was done. We found that Jerusalem has a history of disobedience to kings and has been a place of problems and trouble. ²⁰ Jerusalem has had powerful kings who have ruled over the whole area of Trans-Euphrates, and taxes of all kinds have been paid to them. ²¹ Now, give an order for those men to stop work. The city of Jerusalem will not be rebuilt until I say so.