Ezra:4:12-19
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Be it known unto the king ,
that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem ,
building the rebellious and the bad city ,
and have set up the walls thereof ,
and joined the foundations .
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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 .
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Now because we have maintenance from the king '
s palace ,
and it was not meet for us to see the king '
s dishonour ,
therefore have we sent and certified the king ;
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That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers :
so shalt thou find in the book of the records ,
and know that this city is a rebellious city ,
and hurtful unto kings and provinces ,
and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time :
for which cause was this city destroyed .
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We certify the king that ,
if this city be builded again ,
and the walls thereof set up ,
by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river .
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Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor ,
and to Shimshai the scribe ,
and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria ,
and unto the rest beyond the river ,
Peace ,
and at such a time .
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The letter which ye sent unto us hath been plainly read before me .
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And I commanded ,
and search hath been made ,
and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings ,
and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein .