¹² let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem; they are rebuilding ^(A)the rebellious and evil city and ^(B)are completing the walls and repairing the foundations.

¹³ Now let it be known to the king, that if that city is rebuilt and the walls are completed, ^(C)they will not give tribute, custom, or toll, and it will damage the revenue of the kings.

¹⁴ Now because we ^[a]are in the service of the palace, and it is not fitting for us to see the king’s ^[b]dishonor, therefore we have sent and made known to the king,

¹⁵ that a search be made in the record books of your fathers. And you will find in the record books and come to know that that city is a rebellious city and damaging to kings and provinces, and that they have incited revolt within it in past days; therefore that city was laid waste.