Ezra 4:13

¹¹ This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.

¹² Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations.

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.

¹⁴ Now because we have maintenance from the king’s palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king’s dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king;

¹⁵ That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city 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
Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
Read in context
Nehemiah 5:4
There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
Read in context
Romans 13:6–7
For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Read in context
Matthew 17:25
He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Read in context
Psalms 119:69
The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
Read in context
Ezra 4:20
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.
Read in context
Matthew 9:9
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
Read in context
Psalms 52:2
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Read in context