Ezra 4:13

¹¹ (This is the text of the letter they sent to him.) To King Artaxerxes, From your servants, the men west of the Euphrates:

¹² Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem. And they are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city, restoring its walls, and repairing its foundations.

Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer.

¹⁴ Now because we are in the service of the palace and it is not fitting for us to allow the king to be dishonored, we have sent to inform the king

¹⁵ that a search should be made of the record books of your fathers. In these books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, inciting sedition from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer.
KJV: 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.
WEB: Be it known now to the king that if this city is built and the walls finished, they will not pay tribute, custom, or toll, and in the end it will be hurtful to the kings.
ASV: 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.
DARBY: Be it known therefore unto the king, that, if this city be built and the walls be completed, they will not pay tribute, tax, and toll, and in the end it will bring damage to the kings.
BLB: Now be it known to the king that if this city is built and the walls are completed, tax, tribute, and custom they will not pay, and the treasury of the king will be diminished.

ÅB: Men nå være det kongen vitterlig at dersom denne by blir bygget opp igjen og murene fullført, så vil de hverken gi skatt eller toll eller veipenger, og det vil til sist bli til skade for kongene.
OTB: La nå kongen vite at hvis denne byen blir gjenoppbygd og murene fullført, vil de ikke betale skatt, avgift eller toll, og det vil være skadelig for kongens inntekter.
B1930: Men nu være det kongen vitterlig at dersom denne by blir bygget op igjen og murene fullført, så vil de hverken gi skatt eller toll eller veipenger, og det vil til sist bli til skade for kongene.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Ezra 7:24
And be advised that you have no authority to impose tribute, duty, or toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.
Read in context
Nehemiah 5:4
Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.
Read in context
Romans 13:6–7
This is also why you pay taxes. For the authorities are God’s servants, who devote themselves to their work.
Read in context
Matthew 17:25
“Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?”
Read in context
Psalms 119:69
Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep Your precepts with all my heart.
Read in context
Ezra 4:20
And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them.
Read in context
Matthew 9:9
As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. “Follow Me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him.
Read in context
Psalms 52:2
Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit.
Read in context