Ezra 4:22
New International Version
Be careful not to neglect this matter. Why let this threat grow, to the detriment of the royal interests?

New Living Translation
Be diligent, and don’t neglect this matter, for we must not permit the situation to harm the king’s interests.”

English Standard Version
And take care not to be slack in this matter. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the king?”

Berean Standard Bible
See that you do not neglect this matter. Why allow this threat to increase and the royal interests to suffer?

King James Bible
Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

New King James Version
Take heed now that you do not fail to do this. Why should damage increase to the hurt of the kings?

New American Standard Bible
And beware of being negligent in carrying out this matter; why should there be great damage, to the detriment of the kings?”

NASB 1995
“Beware of being negligent in carrying out this matter; why should damage increase to the detriment of the kings?”

NASB 1977
“And beware of being negligent in carrying out this matter; why should damage increase to the detriment of the kings?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And beware of being negligent in doing this matter; why should harm increase to damage the kings?”

Amplified Bible
Beware of being negligent in carrying out this matter. Why should damage increase to the detriment of the kings?”

Christian Standard Bible
See that you not neglect this matter. Otherwise, the damage will increase and the royal interests will suffer.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
See that you not neglect this matter. Otherwise, the damage will increase and the royal interests will suffer.

American Standard Version
And take heed that ye be not slack herein: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

Contemporary English Version
Do this at once, so that no harm will come to the kingdom.

English Revised Version
And take heed that ye be not slack herein: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Be careful not to neglect your duty in this matter. Why should I, the king, suffer any more harm?

Good News Translation
Do this at once, so that no more harm may be done to my interests."

International Standard Version
Be diligent and take precautions so that you do not neglect your responsibility in this matter. Why should the kingdom sustain any more damage?

Majority Standard Bible
See that you do not neglect this matter. Why allow this threat to increase and the royal interests to suffer?

NET Bible
Exercise appropriate caution so that there is no negligence in this matter. Why should danger increase to the point that kings sustain damage?"

New Heart English Bible
Take heed that you not be slack herein: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

Webster's Bible Translation
Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

World English Bible
Be careful that you not be slack doing so. Why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And beware of negligence in doing this; why does the hurt become great to the loss of the kings?”

Young's Literal Translation
And beware ye of negligence in doing this; why doth the hurt become great to the loss of the kings?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And be ye warned from doing wrong upon this: wherefore shall harm overtake to endamage the kings?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
See that you be not negligent in executing this, lest by little and little the evil grow to the hurt of the kings.

Catholic Public Domain Version
See to it that you are not negligent in fulfilling this, otherwise, little by little, the evil may increase against the kings.”

New American Bible
Take care that you do not neglect this matter. Why should evil increase to harm the throne?”

New Revised Standard Version
Moreover, take care not to be slack in this matter; why should damage grow to the hurt of the king?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Take heed now that you fail not to do this, lest the damage should increase to the hurt of the king.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And be vigilant concerning this work lest damage would increase to damage the King.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And take heed that ye be not slack herein; why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
See that ye be careful of the decree, not to be remiss concerning this matter, lest at any time destruction should abound to the harm of kings.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Decree of Artaxerxes
21Now, therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order. 22See that you do not neglect this matter. Why allow this threat to increase and the royal interests to suffer? 23When the text of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them.…

Cross References
Nehemiah 6:9
For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands.

Nehemiah 4:11
And our enemies said, “Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.”

Nehemiah 2:19-20
But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” / So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”

Esther 3:8-9
Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. / If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.”

Daniel 6:4-5
Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

Haggai 1:2-4
that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.’” / Then the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet, saying: / “Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?”

2 Kings 17:24-26
Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns. / Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them. / So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The peoples that you have removed and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the requirements of the God of the land. Because of this, He has sent lions among them, which are indeed killing them off.”

2 Kings 18:36-37
But the people remained silent and did not answer a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, “Do not answer him.” / Then Hilkiah’s son Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Asaph’s son Joah the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they relayed to him the words of the Rabshakeh.

2 Chronicles 32:18-19
Then the Assyrians called out loudly in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten and terrify them in order to capture the city. / They spoke against the God of Jerusalem as they had spoken against the gods of the peoples of the earth—the work of human hands.

Jeremiah 29:7
Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

Acts 4:18-20
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. / But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. / For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Acts 5:28-29
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.” / But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

Acts 6:13-14
where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. / For we have heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs that Moses handed down to us.”

Acts 24:5-6
We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

Romans 13:1-2
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.


Treasury of Scripture

Take heed now that you fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings?

why should

Ezra 4:13
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.

Esther 3:8,9
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them…

Esther 7:3,4
Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: …

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Ezra 4
1. The adversaries, being not accepted in the building of the temple with the Jews,
4. endeavor to hinder it
7. Their letter to Artaxerxes
17. The answer and decree of Artaxerxes
23. The building is hindered














See that you do not neglect this matter
This phrase is a direct command, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the task at hand. The Hebrew root for "neglect" is "שָׁלַח" (shalach), which can also mean to let go or to dismiss. In the context of Ezra, this is a stern warning against complacency. Historically, the rebuilding of Jerusalem was a politically sensitive issue, and any neglect could lead to significant setbacks. The phrase underscores the necessity of vigilance and diligence in fulfilling God's purposes, reminding believers of the importance of being proactive in their spiritual and communal responsibilities.

Why allow this threat to increase
The "threat" refers to the potential resurgence of Jerusalem as a fortified city, which neighboring regions perceived as a danger to their own power and influence. The Hebrew word for "threat" is "סַכָּנָה" (sakanah), indicating a peril or danger. This reflects the historical tension between the returning exiles and the surrounding peoples. From a spiritual perspective, it serves as a metaphor for the threats that can arise when God's work is opposed or hindered. It calls believers to be aware of the spiritual battles they face and to take decisive action to prevent any escalation of opposition.

and the royal interests to suffer?
The "royal interests" pertain to the Persian Empire's control and taxation of its territories. The Hebrew term for "interests" is "מַלְכוּת" (malkuth), which can also mean kingdom or dominion. This highlights the political and economic stakes involved in the rebuilding of Jerusalem. For the Persian king, any unrest or rebellion could lead to a loss of revenue and authority. In a broader spiritual sense, this phrase can be seen as a reminder of the importance of aligning one's actions with the interests of God's kingdom. It encourages believers to consider how their actions impact the broader mission of advancing God's rule and reign on earth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
See that you
וּזְהִירִ֥ין (ū·zə·hî·rîn)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural
Strong's 2095: Be admonished

do not neglect
שָׁל֖וּ (šā·lū)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7960: Neglect, remissness

this matter.
דְּנָ֑ה (də·nāh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 1836: This

Why
לְמָה֙ (lə·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4101: Interrogative what?, what!, indefinitely what

allow this threat
חֲבָלָ֔א (ḥă·ḇā·lā)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 2257: A hurt, injury

to increase
יִשְׂגֵּ֣א (yiś·gê)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7680: To grow great

and the royal
מַלְכִֽין׃ (mal·ḵîn)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4430: A king

interests to suffer?
לְהַנְזָקַ֖ת (lə·han·zā·qaṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5142: To suffer injury


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OT History: Ezra 4:22 Take heed that you not be slack (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 4:21
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