Ezra 4:14-15

4:14 In light of the fact that we are loyal to the king, ¹  and since it does not seem appropriate to us that the king should sustain damage, ²  we are sending the king this information ³  4:15 so that he may initiate a search of the records ⁴  of his predecessors ⁵  and discover in those records ⁶  that this city is rebellious ⁷  and injurious to both kings and provinces, producing internal revolts ⁸  from long ago. ⁹  It is for this very reason that this city was destroyed.

[4:14]  ¹ tn Aram “we eat the salt of the palace.”

[4:14]  ² tn Aram “the dishonor of the king is not fitting for us to see.”

[4:14]  ³ tn Aram “and we have made known.”

[4:15]  ⁴ tn Aram “the book of the minutes.”

[4:15]  ⁵ tn Aram “of your fathers.”

[4:15]  ⁶ tn Aram “discover…and learn.” For stylistic reasons this has been translated as a single concept.

[4:15]  ⁷ tn Aram “is a rebellious city.”

[4:15]  ⁸ tn Aram “revolts they are making in its midst.”

[4:15]  ⁹ tn Aram “from olden days.” So also in v. 19.