Ezra 4:22 · KJV
“Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?”
— Ezra 4:22
Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until {another} commandment shall be given from me. {Give...: Chaldee, Make a decree}
Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter {was} read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. {by force...: Chaldee, by arm and power}
Ezra 4 — Context
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all {countries} beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.
21Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until {another} commandment shall be given from me. {Give...: Chaldee, Make a decree}
22Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
23Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter {was} read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. {by force...: Chaldee, by arm and power}
24Then ceased the work of the house of God which {is} at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Cross References
Esther 3:8-9
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws {are} diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it {is} not for the king's profit to suffer them. {for the...: Heb. meet or, equal, etc}
Ezra 4:13
Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up {again, then} will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and {so} thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings. {pay: Chaldee, give} {revenue: or, strength}
Esther 7:3-4
Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: