“We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, you will have no dominion west of the Euphrates.”
Ezra 4:16 (BSB)
Context Reading
14Now because we are in the service of the palace and it is not fitting for us to allow the king to be dishonored, we have sent to inform the king 15that a search should be made of the record books of your fathers. In these books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, inciting sedition from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed. 16We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, you will have no dominion west of the Euphrates. 17Then the king sent this reply: To Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of your associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates: Greetings. 18The letter you sent us has been translated and read in my presence.