Lectionary Calendar
Monday, April 13th, 2026
the Second Week after Easter
the Second Week after Easter
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Read the Bible
Good News Translation
Ezra 4:16
We therefore are convinced that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, Your Majesty will no longer be able to control West-of-Euphrates Province."
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Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- CondensedParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, you will not have any possession west of the Euphrates.
We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are finished, you will not have any possession west of the Euphrates.
Hebrew Names Version
We inform the king that, if this city be built, and the walls finished, by this means you shall have no portion beyond the River.
We inform the king that, if this city be built, and the walls finished, by this means you shall have no portion beyond the River.
King James Version
We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
English Standard Version
We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River."
We make known to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River."
New Century Version
We want you to know, King Artaxerxes, that if this city is rebuilt and its walls fixed, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates.
We want you to know, King Artaxerxes, that if this city is rebuilt and its walls fixed, you will be left with nothing in Trans-Euphrates.
New English Translation
We therefore are informing the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, you will not retain control of this portion of Trans-Euphrates."
We therefore are informing the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, you will not retain control of this portion of Trans-Euphrates."
Amplified Bible
"We are informing the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls finished, it will mean that you will have no possession in the province west of the [Euphrates] River."
"We are informing the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls finished, it will mean that you will have no possession in the province west of the [Euphrates] River."
New American Standard Bible
"We are informing the king that if that city is rebuilt and the walls finished, then as a result of this you will have no possession in the province beyond the Euphrates River."
"We are informing the king that if that city is rebuilt and the walls finished, then as a result of this you will have no possession in the province beyond the Euphrates River."
World English Bible
We inform the king that, if this city be built, and the walls finished, by this means you shall have no portion beyond the River.
We inform the king that, if this city be built, and the walls finished, by this means you shall have no portion beyond the River.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Wee certifie the King therefore, that if this citie be buylded, and the foundation of the walles layd, by this meanes the portion beyonde the Riuer shal not be thine.
Wee certifie the King therefore, that if this citie be buylded, and the foundation of the walles layd, by this meanes the portion beyonde the Riuer shal not be thine.
Legacy Standard Bible
We make known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and the walls completed, as a result you will have no portion in the province beyond the River."
We make known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and the walls completed, as a result you will have no portion in the province beyond the River."
Berean Standard Bible
We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, you will have no dominion west of the Euphrates.
We advise the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, you will have no dominion west of the Euphrates.
Contemporary English Version
If Jerusalem is rebuilt and its walls completed, you will no longer have control over Western Province.
If Jerusalem is rebuilt and its walls completed, you will no longer have control over Western Province.
Complete Jewish Bible
We submit to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls are finished, you will soon lose possession of all territories beyond the River."
We submit to the king that if this city is rebuilt and the walls are finished, you will soon lose possession of all territories beyond the River."
Darby Translation
We inform the king that if this city be built and its walls be completed, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
We inform the king that if this city be built and its walls be completed, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river.
Easy-to-Read Version
King Artaxerxes, we wish to inform you that if this city and its walls are rebuilt, you will lose control of the area west of the Euphrates River.
King Artaxerxes, we wish to inform you that if this city and its walls are rebuilt, you will lose control of the area west of the Euphrates River.
George Lamsa Translation
We inform the king that, if this city is built and its walls are set up, by this means you shall have no dominion on this side the River.
We inform the king that, if this city is built and its walls are set up, by this means you shall have no dominion on this side the River.
Lexham English Bible
We make known to the king that if this city is built and the walls are finished, you will have nothing in the province Beyond the River."
We make known to the king that if this city is built and the walls are finished, you will have nothing in the province Beyond the River."
Literal Translation
We notify the king that if that city is built, and its walls completed, then you shall have no portion Beyond the River.
We notify the king that if that city is built, and its walls completed, then you shall have no portion Beyond the River.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Therfore do we certifie the kynge, that yf this cite be buylded, and the walles therof made vp, thou shalt kepe nothinge on this syde the water by the reason of it.
Therfore do we certifie the kynge, that yf this cite be buylded, and the walles therof made vp, thou shalt kepe nothinge on this syde the water by the reason of it.
American Standard Version
We certify the king that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, by this means thou shalt have no portion beyond the River.
We certify the king that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, by this means thou shalt have no portion beyond the River.
Bible in Basic English
We give you word, that if the building of this town and its walls is made complete, there will be an end of your power in the country across the river.
We give you word, that if the building of this town and its walls is made complete, there will be an end of your power in the country across the river.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Therfore do we certifie the king, that if this citie be builded againe, and the walles thereof made vp, thou shalt hereafter haue no portion beyond the water.
Therfore do we certifie the king, that if this citie be builded againe, and the walles thereof made vp, thou shalt hereafter haue no portion beyond the water.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
We announce to the king that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, by this means thou shalt have no portion beyond the River.'
We announce to the king that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, by this means thou shalt have no portion beyond the River.'
King James Version (1611)
We certifie the king, that if this citie be builded againe, & the walles thereof set vp: by this meanes, thou shalt haue no portion on this side the Riuer.
We certifie the king, that if this citie be builded againe, & the walles thereof set vp: by this meanes, thou shalt haue no portion on this side the Riuer.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
We therefore declare to the king, that, if that city be built, and its walls be set up, thou shalt not have peace.
We therefore declare to the king, that, if that city be built, and its walls be set up, thou shalt not have peace.
English Revised Version
We certify the king that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, by this means thou shalt have no portion beyond the river.
We certify the king that, if this city be builded, and the walls finished, by this means thou shalt have no portion beyond the river.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
We tellen to the kyng, that if thilke citee be bildid, and the wallis therof be restorid, thou schalt not haue possessioun biyende the flood.
We tellen to the kyng, that if thilke citee be bildid, and the wallis therof be restorid, thou schalt not haue possessioun biyende the flood.
Update Bible Version
We inform the king that, if this city is built, and the walls finished, by this means you shall have no portion beyond the River.
We inform the king that, if this city is built, and the walls finished, by this means you shall have no portion beyond the River.
Webster's Bible Translation
We certify the king that, if this city shall be built [again], and its walls set up, by this means thou wilt have no portion on this side of the river.
We certify the king that, if this city shall be built [again], and its walls set up, by this means thou wilt have no portion on this side of the river.
New King James Version
We inform the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, the result will be that you will have no dominion beyond the River.
We inform the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, the result will be that you will have no dominion beyond the River.
New Living Translation
We declare to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, the province west of the Euphrates River will be lost to you."
We declare to the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, the province west of the Euphrates River will be lost to you."
New Life Bible
We are letting the king know that, if that city is built again and the walls are finished, you will own nothing in the land on the other side of the River."
We are letting the king know that, if that city is built again and the walls are finished, you will own nothing in the land on the other side of the River."
New Revised Standard
We make known to the king that, if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River."
We make known to the king that, if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
We do certify the king that, if, this city, be built, and, the walls thereof, finished, for that very reason, portion Beyond the River, shalt thou have none.
We do certify the king that, if, this city, be built, and, the walls thereof, finished, for that very reason, portion Beyond the River, shalt thou have none.
Douay-Rheims Bible
We certify the king, that if this city be built, and the walls thereof repaired, thou shalt have no possession on this side of the river.
We certify the king, that if this city be built, and the walls thereof repaired, thou shalt have no possession on this side of the river.
Revised Standard Version
We make known to the king that, if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River."
We make known to the king that, if this city is rebuilt and its walls finished, you will then have no possession in the province Beyond the River."
Young's Literal Translation
We are making known to the king that, if this city be builded and the walls finished, by this means a portion beyond the river thou hast none.'
We are making known to the king that, if this city be builded and the walls finished, by this means a portion beyond the river thou hast none.'
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"We inform the king that if that city is rebuilt and the walls finished, as a result you will have no possession in the province beyond the River."
"We inform the king that if that city is rebuilt and the walls finished, as a result you will have no possession in the province beyond the River."
Contextual Overview
6 At the beginning of the reign of Emperor Xerxes, the enemies of the people living in Judah and Jerusalem brought written charges against them. 7 Again in the reign of Emperor Artaxerxes of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and their associates wrote a letter to the emperor. The letter was written in Aramaic and was to be translated when read. Also Rehum, the governor, and Shimshai, the secretary of the province, wrote the following letter to Emperor Artaxerxes about Jerusalem: "From Rehum, the governor, from Shimshai, secretary of the province, from their associates, the judges, and from all the other officials, who are originally from Erech, Babylon, and Susa in the land of Elam, together with the other peoples whom the great and powerful Ashurbanipal moved from their homes and settled in the city of Samaria and elsewhere in West-of-Euphrates Province." This is the text of the letter: "To Emperor Artaxerxes from his servants who live in West-of-Euphrates. "We want Your Majesty to know that the Jews who came here from your other territories have settled in Jerusalem and are rebuilding that evil and rebellious city. They have begun to rebuild the walls and will soon finish them. Your Majesty, if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, the people will stop paying taxes, and your royal revenues will decrease. Now, because we are under obligation to Your Majesty, we do not want to see this happen, and so we suggest that you order a search to be made in the records your ancestors kept. If you do, you will discover that this city has always been rebellious and that from ancient times it has given trouble to kings and to rulers of provinces. Its people have always been hard to govern. This is why the city was destroyed. We therefore are convinced that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, Your Majesty will no longer be able to control West-of-Euphrates Province." The emperor sent this answer: "To Rehum, the governor, to Shimshai, secretary of the province, and to their associates who live in Samaria and in the rest of West-of-Euphrates, greetings. "The letter which you sent has been translated and read to me. I gave orders for an investigation to be made, and it has indeed been found that from ancient times Jerusalem has revolted against royal authority and that it has been full of rebels and troublemakers. Powerful kings have reigned there and have ruled over the entire province of West-of-Euphrates, collecting taxes and revenue. Therefore you are to issue orders that those men are to stop rebuilding the city until I give further commands. Do this at once, so that no more harm may be done to my interests." As soon as this letter from Emperor Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, Shimshai, and their associates, they hurried to Jerusalem and forced the Jews to stop rebuilding the city. Work on the Temple had been stopped and had remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of Emperor Darius of Persia. 8 Again in the reign of Emperor Artaxerxes of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and their associates wrote a letter to the emperor. The letter was written in Aramaic and was to be translated when read. Also Rehum, the governor, and Shimshai, the secretary of the province, wrote the following letter to Emperor Artaxerxes about Jerusalem: 9 "From Rehum, the governor, from Shimshai, secretary of the province, from their associates, the judges, and from all the other officials, who are originally from Erech, Babylon, and Susa in the land of Elam, 10 together with the other peoples whom the great and powerful Ashurbanipal moved from their homes and settled in the city of Samaria and elsewhere in West-of-Euphrates Province." 11 This is the text of the letter: "To Emperor Artaxerxes from his servants who live in West-of-Euphrates. 12 "We want Your Majesty to know that the Jews who came here from your other territories have settled in Jerusalem and are rebuilding that evil and rebellious city. They have begun to rebuild the walls and will soon finish them. 13 Your Majesty, if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, the people will stop paying taxes, and your royal revenues will decrease. 14 Now, because we are under obligation to Your Majesty, we do not want to see this happen, and so we suggest 15 that you order a search to be made in the records your ancestors kept. If you do, you will discover that this city has always been rebellious and that from ancient times it has given trouble to kings and to rulers of provinces. Its people have always been hard to govern. This is why the city was destroyed.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
thou shalt have: Ezra 4:20, 2 Samuel 8:3, 1 Kings 4:24
Reciprocal: Ezra 6:8 - the king's Ezra 7:21 - beyond the river Nehemiah 2:19 - will ye rebel
Cross-References
Genesis 3:8
That evening they heard the Lord God walking in the garden, and they hid from him among the trees.
That evening they heard the Lord God walking in the garden, and they hid from him among the trees.
Genesis 4:14
You are driving me off the land and away from your presence. I will be a homeless wanderer on the earth, and anyone who finds me will kill me."
You are driving me off the land and away from your presence. I will be a homeless wanderer on the earth, and anyone who finds me will kill me."
Exodus 20:18
When the people heard the thunder and the trumpet blast and saw the lightning and the smoking mountain, they trembled with fear and stood a long way off.
When the people heard the thunder and the trumpet blast and saw the lightning and the smoking mountain, they trembled with fear and stood a long way off.
2 Kings 13:23
but the Lord was kind and merciful to them. He would not let them be destroyed, but helped them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He has never forgotten his people.
but the Lord was kind and merciful to them. He would not let them be destroyed, but helped them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He has never forgotten his people.
2 Kings 24:20
The Lord became so angry with the people of Jerusalem and Judah that he banished them from his sight.
The Lord became so angry with the people of Jerusalem and Judah that he banished them from his sight.
Job 1:12
"All right," the Lord said to Satan, "everything he has is in your power, but you must not hurt Job himself." So Satan left.
"All right," the Lord said to Satan, "everything he has is in your power, but you must not hurt Job himself." So Satan left.
Job 2:7
Then Satan left the Lord 's presence and made sores break out all over Job's body.
Then Satan left the Lord 's presence and made sores break out all over Job's body.
Job 20:17
They will not live to see rivers of olive oil or streams that flow with milk and honey.
They will not live to see rivers of olive oil or streams that flow with milk and honey.
Psalms 5:11
But all who find safety in you will rejoice; they can always sing for joy. Protect those who love you; because of you they are truly happy.
But all who find safety in you will rejoice; they can always sing for joy. Protect those who love you; because of you they are truly happy.
Psalms 68:2
As smoke is blown away, so he drives them off; as wax melts in front of the fire, so do the wicked perish in God's presence.
As smoke is blown away, so he drives them off; as wax melts in front of the fire, so do the wicked perish in God's presence.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
We certify the king, that if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up,.... As it formerly was, and now attempted, as they suggest:
by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river; the river Euphrates; intimating that the Jews would not only shake off his yoke, and refuse to pay tribute themselves, but would seize on all his dominions on that side the river, and annex them to their own.
