Ezra 4:12

Easy To Read Version

King Artaxerxes, we wish to inform you that the Jews you sent away from you have come here. Those Jews are now trying to build that city again. Jerusalem is a bad city. The people in that city have always rebelled against other kings. Now those Jews are fixing the foundations and building the walls. {\cf2\super [21]}

Cross References

2 Kings 18:20

Your words are worth nothing. [226] You say, “I have enough advice and power to help me in war.” But who do you trust since you have broken away from my rule?

2 Kings 24:1

In the time of Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the country of Judah. Jehoiakim served Nebuchadnezzar for three years. Then Jehoiakim turned against Nebuchadnezzar and broke away from his rule.

2 Chronicles 36:13

Zedekiah turned against King Nebuchadnezzar. In the past Nebuchadnezzar forced Zedekiah to make a promise to be faithful to Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah used God’s name and promised to be faithful to Nebuchadnezzar. But Zedekiah was very stubborn and refused to change his life and come back and obey the Lord God of Israel.

Ezra 4:11

This is the copy of the letter sent to King Artaxerxes: {\cf2\super [20]}

Ezra 4:15

King Artaxerxes, we suggest that you search the writings of the kings that ruled before you. You will see in those writings that Jerusalem always rebelled against other kings. It has caused much trouble for other kings and nations. Many rebellions have started in this city since ancient times! That is why Jerusalem was destroyed!

Ezra 4:19

I gave an order for the writings of the kings before me to be searched. The writings were read, and we found out that Jerusalem has a long history of rebellion against kings. Jerusalem has been a place where rebellion and revolt has happened often.

Ezra 5:3

At that time Tattenai was the governor of the area west of the Euphrates River. Tattenai, Shethar Bozenai, and the men with them went to Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the others that were building. Tattenai and the people with him asked Zerubbabel and the people with him, “Who gave you permission to build this temple again and fix it like new?”

Ezra 5:9

We asked their leaders some questions about the work they are doing. We asked them, “Who gave you permission to build this temple again and fix it like new?”

Nehemiah 1:3

Hanani and the men with him said, “Nehemiah, those Jews that escaped captivity and are in the land of Judah are in much trouble. Those people are having many problems and are full of shame. Why? Because the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

Nehemiah 6:6

This is what that letter said: “There is a rumor going around. People are talking about it everywhere. And, by the way, Geshem says it is true. People are saying that you and the Jews are planning to turn against the king. That is why you are building the wall of Jerusalem. People are also saying that you will be the new king of the Jews.

Esther 3:8

Then Haman came to King Xerxes. He said, “King Xerxes, there is a certain group of people scattered among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom. Those people keep themselves separate from other people. Their customs are different from those of all other people. And those people don’t obey the king’s laws. It is not best for the king to allow those people to continue to live in your kingdom.

Jeremiah 52:3

Terrible things happened to Jerusalem and Judah because the Lord was angry with them. Finally, the Lord threw the people of Jerusalem and Judah away from his presence.

Daniel 3:8

Then, some of the Chaldean {\cf2\super [28]} men came up to the king. Those men began speaking against the Jews.

Daniel 9:25

“Learn these things, Daniel. Understand these things! From the time that the message went out to go back and build Jerusalem again until the time for the chosen king {\cf2\super [109]} to come will be seven weeks. {\cf2\super [110]} Then Jerusalem will be built again. There will again be places for people to meet together in Jerusalem. And there will be a ditch around the city to protect it. Jerusalem will be built for 62 weeks. {\cf2\super [111]} But there will be many troubles during that time.

Luke 13:34

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets. {\cf2\super [250]} You kill with rocks those men that God has sent you. Many, many times I wanted to help your people. I wanted to gather your people together like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you did not let me.

Acts 24:5

This man (Paul) is a troublemaker. He makes trouble with the Jews everywhere in the world. He is a leader of the Nazarene group.

1 Thessalonians 5:22

And stay away from everything that is evil.