Ezra 4:22

4:22 Exercise appropriate caution so that there is no negligence in this matter. Why should danger increase to the point that kings sustain damage?”

Ezra 4:16

4:16 We therefore are informing the king that if this city is rebuilt and its walls are completed, you will not retain control ¹  of this portion of Trans-Euphrates.”

Ezra 4:15

4:15 so that he may initiate a search of the records ²  of his predecessors ³  and discover in those records ⁴  that this city is rebellious ⁵  and injurious to both kings and provinces, producing internal revolts ⁶  from long ago. ⁷  It is for this very reason that this city was destroyed.

¹ tn Aram “will not be to you.”

¹ tn Aram “the book of the minutes.”

² tn Aram “of your fathers.”

³ tn Aram “discover…and learn.” For stylistic reasons this has been translated as a single concept.

⁴ tn Aram “is a rebellious city.”

⁵ tn Aram “revolts they are making in its midst.”

⁶ tn Aram “from olden days.” So also in v. 19.