We have a responsibility to the king. We don’t want to see those things happen. So we are sending this letter to inform the king.
Ezra 4:13 - Easy To Read Version Also, King Artaxerxes, you should know that if Jerusalem and its walls are built again, the people of Jerusalem will stop paying their taxes. They will stop sending money to honor you. They also will stop paying duty taxes. And the king will lose all that money. Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 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. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition Be it known now to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls finished, then they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and the royal revenue will be diminished. American Standard Version (1901) Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful unto the kings. Common English Bible May it be known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls completed, they will not pay tribute or tax or dues, and the royal revenue will be reduced. Catholic Public Domain Version And now let be it known to the king, that if this city will have been built up, and its walls repaired, they will not pay tribute, nor tax, nor yearly revenues, and this loss will affect even the kings. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version And now be it known to the king, that if this city be built up, and the walls thereof repaired, they will not pay tribute nor toll, nor yearly revenues; and this loss will fail upon the kings. |
We have a responsibility to the king. We don’t want to see those things happen. So we are sending this letter to inform the king.
Jerusalem has had powerful kings ruling over it and over the whole area west of the Euphrates River. Taxes and money to honor kings, and duty taxes have been paid to those kings.
\{I want\} you men to know that it is against the law to make the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants, and other workers in God’s temple pay taxes. Those people don’t have to pay taxes, money to honor the king, or any duty taxes.
And still other people were saying, “We have to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. But we can’t afford to pay, so we are having to borrow money to pay the tax.
People who think they are better than me\par told bad lies about me.\par But I continued to obey your commands\par with all my heart, Lord.\par
You make foolish plans\par and your tongue is as dangerous\par as a sharp razor.\par You are always lying\par and trying to cheat people!\par
When Jesus was leaving, he saw a man named Matthew. Matthew was sitting at his place for collecting taxes. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Then Matthew stood up and followed Jesus.