Now it came to pass, when Sanballat{H5571}, and Tobiah{H2900}, and Geshem{H1654} the Arabian{H6163}, and the rest{H3499} of our enemies{H341}{(H8802)}, heard{H8085}{(H8738)} that I had builded{H1129}{(H8804)} the wall{H2346}, and that there was no breach{H6556} left{H3498}{(H8738)} therein;(though{H1571}{H5704} at that time{H6256} I had not set up{H5975}{(H8689)} the doors{H1817} upon the gates{H8179};)

That Sanballat{H5571} and Geshem{H1654} sent{H7971}{(H8799)} unto me, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, Come{H3212}{(H8798)}, let us meet{H3259}{(H8735)} together{H3162} in some one of the villages{H3715} in the plain{H1237} of Ono{H207}. But they thought{H2803}{(H8802)} to do{H6213}{(H8800)} me mischief{H7451}.

And I sent{H7971}{(H8799)} messengers{H4397} unto them, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, I am doing{H6213}{(H8802)} a great{H1419} work{H4399}, so that I cannot{H3201}{(H8799)} come down{H3381}{(H8800)}: why should the work{H4399} cease{H7673}{(H8799)}, whilst{H834} I leave{H7503}{(H8686)} it, and come down{H3381}{(H8804)} to you?

Yet they sent{H7971}{(H8799)} unto me four{H702} times{H6471} after this sort{H1697}; and I answered{H7725}{(H8686)} them after the same manner{H1697}.

Then sent{H7971}{(H8799)} Sanballat{H5571} his servant{H5288} unto me in like manner{H1697} the fifth{H2549} time{H6471} with an open{H6605}{(H8803)} letter{H107} in his hand{H3027};

Wherein was written{H3789}{(H8803)}, It is reported{H8085}{(H8738)} among the heathen{H1471}, and Gashmu{H1654} saith{H559}{(H8802)} it, that thou and the Jews{H3064} think{H2803}{(H8802)} to rebel{H4775}{(H8800)}: for which cause{H3651} thou buildest{H1129}{(H8802)} the wall{H2346}, that thou mayest be{H1933}{(H8802)} their king{H4428}, according to these words{H1697}.

And thou hast also appointed{H5975}{(H8689)} prophets{H5030} to preach{H7121}{(H8800)} of thee at Jerusalem{H3389}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, There is a king{H4428} in Judah{H3063}: and now shall it be reported{H8085}{(H8735)} to the king{H4428} according to these words{H1697}. Come{H3212}{(H8798)} now therefore, and let us take counsel{H3289}{(H8735)} together{H3162}.

Then I sent{H7971}{(H8799)} unto him, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, There are{H1961} no such things{H1697} done{H1961}{(H8738)} as thou sayest{H559}{(H8802)}, but thou feignest{H908}{(H8802)} them out of thine own heart{H3820}.

For they all made us afraid{H3372}{(H8764)}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, Their hands{H3027} shall be weakened{H7503}{(H8799)} from the work{H4399}, that it be not done{H6213}{(H8735)}. Now therefore, O God, strengthen{H2388}{(H8761)} my hands{H3027}.

Afterward I came{H935}{(H8804)} unto the house{H1004} of Shemaiah{H8098} the son{H1121} of Delaiah{H1806} the son{H1121} of Mehetabeel{H4105}, who was shut up{H6113}{(H8803)}; and he said{H559}{(H8799)}, Let us meet together{H3259}{(H8735)} in the house{H1004} of God{H430}, within{H8432} the temple{H1964}, and let us shut{H5462}{(H8799)} the doors{H1817} of the temple{H1964}: for they will come{H935}{(H8802)} to slay{H2026}{(H8800)} thee; yea, in the night{H3915} will they come{H935}{(H8802)} to slay{H2026}{(H8800)} thee.

And I said{H559}{(H8799)}, Should such{H3644} a man{H376} as I flee{H1272}{(H8799)}? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go{H935}{(H8799)} into the temple{H1964} to save his life{H2425}{(H8804)}? I will not go in{H935}{(H8799)}.

And, lo, I perceived{H5234}{(H8686)} that God{H430} had not sent{H7971}{(H8804)} him; but that he pronounced{H1696}{(H8765)} this prophecy{H5016} against me: for Tobiah{H2900} and Sanballat{H5571} had hired{H7936}{(H8804)} him.

Therefore was he hired{H7936}{(H8803)}, that I should be afraid{H3372}{(H8799)}, and do so{H6213}{(H8799)}, and sin{H2398}{(H8804)}, and that they might have matter for an evil{H7451} report{H8034}, that they might reproach{H2778}{(H8762)} me.

My God{H430}, think{H2142}{(H8798)} thou upon Tobiah{H2900} and Sanballat{H5571} according to these their works{H4639}, and on the prophetess{H5031} Noadiah{H5129}, and the rest{H3499} of the prophets{H5030}, that would have put me in fear{H3372}{(H8764)}.

So the wall{H2346} was finished{H7999}{(H8799)} 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, that when all our enemies{H341}{(H8802)} heard{H8085}{(H8804)} thereof, and all the heathen{H1471} that were about us{H5439} saw{H7200}{(H8799)} these things, they were much{H3966} cast down{H5307}{(H8799)} in their own eyes{H5869}: for they perceived{H3045}{(H8799)} that this work{H4399} was wrought{H6213}{(H8738)} of our God{H430}.

Moreover in those days{H3117} the nobles{H2715} of Judah{H3063} sent{H1980}{(H8802)} many{H7235}{(H8688)} letters{H107} unto Tobiah{H2900}, and the letters of Tobiah{H2900} came{H935}{(H8802)} unto them.

For there were many{H7227} in Judah{H3063} sworn{H1167}{H7621} unto him, because he was the son in law{H2860} of Shechaniah{H7935} the son{H1121} of Arah{H733}; and his son{H1121} Johanan{H3076} had taken{H3947}{(H8804)} the daughter{H1323} of Meshullam{H4918} the son{H1121} of Berechiah{H1296}.

Also they reported{H559}{(H8802)} his good deeds{H2896} before{H6440} me, and uttered{H3318}{(H8688)} my words{H1697} to him. And Tobiah{H2900} sent{H7971}{(H8804)} letters{H107} to put me in fear{H3372}{(H8763)}.