Leadership Verses

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. {set up: or, finished} {joined: Chaldee, sewed together}

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. {pay: Chaldee, give} {revenue: or, strength}

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; {we have...: Chaldee, we are salted with the salt of the palace}

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. {moved: Chaldee, made} {within...: Chaldee, in the midst thereof}

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.

{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. {companions: Chaldee, societies}

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. {I commanded: Chaldee, by me a decree is set} {made insurrection: Chaldee, lifted up itself}

There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, which have ruled over all {countries} beyond the river; and toll, tribute, and custom, was paid unto them.

Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter {was} read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. {by force...: Chaldee, by arm and power}

Then ceased the work of the house of God which {is} at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?