And it came to pass as Sanballat heard, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of the enemies, that I built the wall, and there was no breach in it left; and indeed until that time the doors I did not set up in the gates.
that sent Sanballat and Geshem to me, saying, Come, for we should come together in the towns in the plain of Ono! But they were considering against me to do harm.
And I sent unto them messengers, saying, The work is great that I do, and I am not able to go down, lest at any time should rest the work; when ever I shall perfect it, I shall go down to you.
And they sent to me as this saying four returns; and I sent to them according to this word.
And sent to me Sanballat according to this word the fifth time by his servant, and a letter being open in his hand.
And was written on it, Among the nations it was heard, and Geshem said that you and the Jews are considering to defect. On account of this you are building the wall, and you should be to them for king.
And to these things prophets you established to yourself to proclaim for you in Jerusalem, saying that you reigned in Judea. And now will be reported to the king these words. And now come we should consult together.
And I sent to him, saying, It happened not as these words which you say, for from the heart you lie about them.
For all were throwing us into fear, saying, shall be made faint their hands from this work, and it shall not be done. And now I strengthened my hands.
And I entered into the house of Shemaiah son of Dalaiah, son of Mehetabeel, and he was constrained; and he said, We should gather together in the house of God, in the midst of it, and we should lock its doors, for they are coming by night to murder you.
And I said, Who is the man such as I that shall flee? Or who such as I shall enter into the house and shall live?
I shall not enter. And I realized, and behold, God did not send him, for the prophesy was a word against me. And Tobiah and Sanballat hired him.
so that I should fear, and should do thus, and should sin, and that I should become to them for name a bad, so as to berate me.
Remember, O my God, to Tobiah and to Sanballat! according to their actions these, and to Noadiah the prophet, and to the rest of the prophets who were throwing me into fear.
And was finished the wall the fifth and twentieth of the Elul month, in fifty two days.
And it came to pass when heard all our enemies, that feared all the nations round about us, and fell upon fear great exceedingly in their eyes. And they knew that by our God was perfected this work this.
And in those days from many important men of Judah letters went to Tobiah, and those of Tobiah came to them.
For many in Judah were bound by an oath to him, for son-in-law he was of Shechaniah son of Arah. And Johanan his son took the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah for wife.
And indeed the things being advantageous to him he spoke before me; and my words they were bringing to him. And letters sent Tobiah to throw me into fear.