Ezra 4:19-21

New International Reader's Version

¹⁹ I gave an order. I had a search made. Here is what we found out. Jerusalem has a long history of turning against the kings of the countries that have ruled over it. It has refused to remain under their control. It is always stirring up trouble. ²⁰ Jerusalem has had powerful kings. Some of them ruled over everything west of the Euphrates. Taxes, gifts and fees were paid to them. ²¹ So give an order to those men. Make them stop their work. Then the city won’t be rebuilt until I give the order.