Now then let it be known to the king, that if that city be built up, and its walls completed, you shall have no tribute, neither will they pay [any tribute], and this injures kings.

And he spoke to King Artaxerxes, saying, There is a nation scattered among the nations in all your kingdom, and their laws differ from [those of] all the [other] nations; and they disobey the laws of the king. Therefore it is not fitting for the king to let them alone.

If it seems good to the king, let him make a decree to destroy them, and I will remit into the king's treasury ten thousand talents of silver.

And she answered and said, If I have found favor in the sight of the king, let [my] life be granted to my petition, and my people to my request.

For both I and my people have been sold for destruction, and pillage, and slavery; [both] we and our children as bondmen and bondwomen. And I consented not to it, for the slanderer [is] not worthy of the king's palace.