So on that day, the Lord made a promise and an agreement with Abram. The Lord said, “I will give this land to your descendants. I will give them the land between the River of Egypt [88] and the great river Euphrates.
Ezra 4:20 - Easy To Read Version 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. Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 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. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem who have ruled over all countries beyond [west of] the [Euphrates] River, and tribute, custom, and toll were paid to them. American Standard Version (1901) There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll, was paid unto them. Common English Bible However, there have been mighty kings over Jerusalem who also ruled over the whole province Beyond the River. Tribute and taxes and dues were paid to them. Catholic Public Domain Version Then too, there have been very strong kings in Jerusalem, who also ruled over the entire region which is across the river. They have also taken tribute, and tax, and revenues. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version For there have been powerful kings in Jerusalem: who hare had dominion over all the country that is beyond the river, and have received tribute, and toll, and revenues. |
So on that day, the Lord made a promise and an agreement with Abram. The Lord said, “I will give this land to your descendants. I will give them the land between the River of Egypt [88] and the great river Euphrates.
Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistine people. His kingdom went as far as the border of Egypt. These countries sent gifts to Solomon and they obeyed him all of his life. [19]
Solomon ruled over all the countries west of the Euphrates River. This was the land from Tiphsah to Gaza. And Solomon had peace on all sides of his kingdom.
Hiram was the king of Tyre. Hiram had always been David’s friend. So when Hiram heard that Solomon had become the new king after David, he sent his servants to Solomon.
But now the Lord my God has given me peace on all sides of my country. Now I have no enemies. My people are in no danger.
Abishai also put fortresses {\cf2\super [202]} in Edom and all the Edomite people became David’s servants. The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went.
David also fought against Hadadezer’s army. Hadadezer was the king of Zobah. David fought against that army all the way to the town of Hamath. David did this because Hadadezer tried to spread his kingdom all the way to the Euphrates River.
Then David put fortresses {\cf2\super [199]} in the city of Damascus in Aram. The Aramean people became David’s servants and brought tribute {\cf2\super [200]} to him. So the Lord gave victory to David everywhere he went.
When Hadadezer’s officers saw that Israel had defeated them, they made peace with David. They became David’s servants. So the Arameans refused to help the Ammonites again.
Some of the Philistine people brought gifts to Jehoshaphat. They also brought silver to Jehoshaphat because they knew he was a very powerful king. Some Arabian people brought flocks to Jehoshaphat. They brought 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats to him.
The traveling merchants {\cf2\super [154]} and traders brought more gold to Solomon. All the kings of Arabia and the rulers of the land also brought gold and silver to Solomon.
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.
King Artaxerxes, we wish to inform you that if this city and its walls are built again, you will lose control of the area west of the Euphrates River.
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.
Now, you must give an order for those men to stop work. That order must be given to keep Jerusalem from being built again until I say so.
\{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.
Let his kingdom grow from sea to sea,\par from the \{Euphrates\} River\par to the faraway places on earth. {\cf2\super [411]} \par
Jerusalem once was a city full of people.\par But now the city is so deserted!\par Jerusalem was one of the greatest cities\par in the world.\par But now she {\cf2\super [1]} has become like a widow.\par She was once a princess among cities.\par But now she has been made a slave.\par
Then she grew large branches.\par They were like a strong walking stick.\par They were like a king’s scepter. {\cf2\super [136]} \par The vine grew taller and taller.\par It had many branches\par and reached to the clouds.\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.