Ezra 4:12-14

Complete Jewish Bible

¹² “Let the king know that the Judeans who left you to come to us in Yerushalayim are building this rebellious and wicked city. They have finished the walls and are now digging the foundations. ¹³ So let the king know that if this city is rebuilt and the walls are finished, they will refuse to pay tribute, tax or toll; and this will reduce the royal revenue. ¹⁴ Now, because we eat the king’s salt, and it is not right for us to see the king dishonored, we therefore are sending to inform the king,