1 Esdras 2:18
King James VersionSource notes
“Be it now known to the lord king, that the Jews that are up from you to us, being come into Jerusalem, that rebellious and wicked city, do build the marketplaces, and repair the walls of it and do lay the foundation of the temple.”
Context
15These were brought back by Sanabassar, together with them of the captivity, from Babylon to Jerusalem.
16But in the time of Artexerxes king of the Persians Belemus, and Mithridates, and Tabellius, and Rathumus, and Beeltethmus, and Semellius the secretary, with others that were in commission with them, dwelling in Samaria and other places, wrote unto him against them that dwelt in Judea and Jerusalem these letters following;
17To king Artexerxes our lord, Thy servants, Rathumus the storywriter, and Semellius the scribe, and the rest of their council, and the judges that are in Celosyria and Phenice.
18Be it now known to the lord king, that the Jews that are up from you to us, being come into Jerusalem, that rebellious and wicked city, do build the marketplaces, and repair the walls of it and do lay the foundation of the temple.
19Now if this city and the walls thereof be made up again, they will not only refuse to give tribute, but also rebel against kings.
20And forasmuch as the things pertaining to the temple are now in hand, we think it meet not to neglect such a matter,
21But to speak unto our lord the king, to the intent that, if it be thy pleasure it may be sought out in the books of thy fathers: