They began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man misleading our nation, opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.’
I hereby issue a decree concerning what you are to do, so that the elders of the Jews can rebuild the house of God: The cost is to be paid in full to these men out of the royal revenues from the taxes of the region west of the River Euphrates, so that the work will not stop.
Powerful kings have also ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the River Euphrates, and tribute, duty, and land tax were paid to them.
Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, they will not pay tribute, duty, or land tax, and the royal revenue will suffer.
Pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those to whom you owe taxes, tolls to those to whom you owe tolls, respect to those to whom you owe respect, and honour to those to whom you owe honour.