"Nowlet it be knownto the king,that ifthat cityis rebuiltand the wallsare finished,they will not paytribute,customor toll,and it will damagethe revenueof the kings.
"Nowbecausewe are in the serviceof the palace,and it is not fittingfor us to seethe king'sdishonor,thereforewe have sentand informedthe king,
that mightykingshave ruledoverJerusalem,governingall[the provinces] beyondthe River,and that tribute,customand tollwere paidto them.
"We also informyou that it is not allowedto imposetax,tributeor toll[on] anyof the priests,Levites,singers,doorkeepers,Nethinimor servantsof thishouseof God.
Also therewere those whosaid,"We have borrowedmoneyfor the king'stax[on] our fieldsand our vineyards.
The arroganthave forgeda lieagainstme; With all[my] heartI will observeYour precepts.
Your tonguedevisesdestruction,Like a sharprazor,O workerof deceit.
He said,"Yes."And when he cameinto the house,Jesusspoke to him first,saying,"Whatdo you think,Simon?From whomdo the kingsof the earthcollectcustomsorpoll-tax,from their sonsorfrom strangers?"
As Jesuswenton from there,He sawa mancalledMatthew,sittingin the tax collector's booth;and He saidto him, "FollowMe!" And he gotup and followedHim.
