1 Esdras 2:20
King James VersionSource notes
“And forasmuch as the things pertaining to the temple are now in hand, we think it meet not to neglect such a matter,”
Context
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:
22And thou shalt find in the chronicles what is written concerning these things, and shalt understand that that city was rebellious, troubling both kings and cities:
23And that the Jews were rebellious, and raised always wars therein; for the which cause even this city was made desolate.