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

See that you be not negligent in executing this, lest by little and little the evil grow to the hurt of the kings.

and take heed that ye fail not to do this: why should harm grow to the damage of the kings?

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

Be certain to do this with all care: do not let trouble be increased to the king's damage.

See to it that you are not negligent in fulfilling this, otherwise, little by little, the evil may increase against the kings."

Take heed now that ye fail not to do this,.... To put his orders into execution, and at once, without any loss of time, oblige the Jews to desist from rebuilding the walls of their city, which he was told they were doing, though a great falsehood:
why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings? of him and his successors, to be deprived of their toll, tribute, and customs, and to have insurrections, mutinies, and rebellions, in the dominions belonging to them.

"And be warned from committing an oversight in this respect," i.e., take heed to overlook nothing in this matter (זהיר, instructed, warned). "Why should the damage become great (i.e., grow), to bring injury to kings?"