Now it came to pass, when it was reported{H8085} to Sanballat{H5571} and Tobiah,{H2900} and to Geshem{H1654} the Arabian,{H6163} and unto the rest{H3499} of our enemies,{H341} that I had builded{H1129} the wall,{H2346} and that there was no breach{H6556} left{H3498} therein; (though{H1571} even unto that time{H6256} I had not set up{H5975} the doors{H1817} in the gates;){H8179}

that Sanballat{H5571} and Geshem{H1654} sent{H7971} unto me, saying,{H559} Come,{H3212} let us meet{H3259} together{H3162} in [one of] the villages{H3715} in the plain{H1237} of Ono.{H207} But they thought{H2803} to do{H6213} me mischief.{H7451}

And I sent{H7971} messengers{H4397} unto them, saying,{H559} I am doing{H6213} a great{H1419} work,{H4399} so that I cannot{H3201} come down:{H3381} why should the work{H4399} cease,{H7673} whilst{H834} I leave{H7503} it, and come down{H3381} to you?

And they sent{H7971} unto me four{H702} times{H6471} after this sort;{H1697} and I answered{H7725} them after the same manner.{H1697}

Then sent{H7971} Sanballat{H5571} his servant{H5288} unto me in like manner{H1697} the fifth{H2549} time{H6471} with an open{H6605} letter{H107} in his hand,{H3027}

wherein was written,{H3789} It is reported{H8085} among the nations,{H1471} and Gashmu{H1654} saith{H559} it, that thou and the Jews{H3064} think{H2803} to rebel;{H4775} for which cause{H3651} thou art building{H1129} the wall:{H2346} and thou wouldest be{H1933} their king,{H4428} according to these words.{H1697}

And thou hast also appointed{H5975} prophets{H5030} to preach{H7121} of thee at Jerusalem,{H3389} saying,{H559} There is a king{H4428} in Judah:{H3063} and now shall it be reported{H8085} to the king{H4428} according to these words.{H1697} Come{H3212} now therefore, and let us take counsel{H3289} together.{H3162}

Then I sent{H7971} unto him, saying,{H559} There are{H1961} no such things{H1697} done{H1961} as thou sayest,{H559} but thou feignest{H908} them out of thine own heart.{H3820}

For they all would have made us afraid,{H3372} saying,{H559} Their hands{H3027} shall be weakened{H7503} from the work,{H4399} that it be not done.{H6213} But now, [O God], strengthen{H2388} thou my hands.{H3027}

And I went{H935} unto the house{H1004} of Shemaiah{H8098} the son{H1121} of Delaiah{H1806} the son{H1121} of Mehetabel,{H4105} who was shut up;{H6113} and he said,{H559} Let us meet together{H3259} in the house{H1004} of God,{H430} within{H8432} the temple,{H1964} and let us shut{H5462} the doors{H1817} of the temple:{H1964} for they will come{H935} to slay{H2026} thee; yea, in the night{H3915} will they come{H935} to slay{H2026} thee.

And I said,{H559} Should such{H3644} a man{H376} as I flee?{H1272} and who is there, that, being such as I, would go{H935} into the temple{H1964} to save his life?{H2425} I will not go in.{H935}

And I discerned,{H5234} and, lo, God{H430} had not sent{H7971} him; but he pronounced{H1696} this prophecy{H5016} against me: and Tobiah{H2900} and Sanballat{H5571} had hired{H7936} him.

For this cause was he hired,{H7936} that I should be afraid,{H3372} and do so,{H6213} and sin,{H2398} and that they might have matter for an evil{H7451} report,{H8034} that they might reproach{H2778} me.

Remember,{H2142} O my God,{H430} Tobiah{H2900} and Sanballat{H5571} according to these their works,{H4639} and also the prophetess{H5031} Noadiah,{H5129} and the rest{H3499} of the prophets,{H5030} that would have put me in fear.{H3372}

So the wall{H2346} was finished{H7999} in the twenty{H6242} and fifth{H2568} [day] of [the month] Elul,{H435} in fifty{H2572} and two{H8147} days.{H3117}

And it came to pass, when all our enemies{H341} heard{H8085} [thereof], that all the nations{H1471} that were about us{H5439} feared,{H7200} and were much{H3966} cast down{H5307} in their own eyes;{H5869} for they perceived{H3045} that this work{H4399} was wrought{H4399} of our God.{H430}

Moreover in those days{H3117} the nobles{H2715} of Judah{H3063} sent{H1980} many{H7235} letters{H107} unto Tobiah,{H2900} and [the letters] of Tobiah{H2900} came{H935} unto them.

For there were many{H7227} in Judah{H3063} sworn{H1167} unto him, because he was the son-in-law{H2860} of Shecaniah{H7935} the son{H1121} of Arah;{H733} and his son{H1121} Jehohanan{H3076} had taken{H3947} the daughter{H1323} of Meshullam{H4918} the son{H1121} of Berechiah{H1296} to wife.

Also they spake{H559} of his good deeds{H2896} before{H6440} me, and reported{H3318} my words{H1697} to him. [And] Tobiah{H2900} sent{H7971} letters{H107} to put me in fear.{H3372}