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 finishing 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 finished, ^(C)they will not pay 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 dishonor, therefore we have sent and informed the king, ¹⁵ so that a search may be made in the record books of your fathers. And you will discover in the record books and learn 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.

²⁰ and when they had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews, ²¹ and ^(A)are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being ^(B)Romans.”