1
Now it happened, when it was reported to Sanvallat and Toviyah, and to Geshem the Araviy, and to the rest of our enemies, that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though even to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates;)
2
that Sanvallat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together in the villages in the plain of Ono." But they intended to harm me.
3
I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work, so that I can't come down. Why should the work cease, while I leave it, and come down to you?"
4
They sent to me four times after this sort; and I answered them the same way.
5
Then Sanvallat sent his servant to me the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
6
in which was written, "It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says it, that you and the Yehudim intend to rebel. Because of that, you are building the wall. You would be their king, according to these words.
7
You have also appointed prophets to preach of you at Yerushalayim, saying, 'There is a king in Yehudah!' Now it will be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together."
8
Then I sent to him, saying, "There are no such things done as you say, but you imagine them out of your own heart."
9
For they all would have made us afraid, saying, "Their hands will be weakened from the work, that it not be done. But now, strengthen my hands."
10
I went to the house of Shemayah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home; and he said, "Let us meet together in the House of Elohim, within the Temple, and let us shut the doors of the Temple; for they will come to kill you; yes, in the night will they come to kill you."
11
I said, "Should such a man as I flee? Who is there that, being such as I, would go into the Temple to save his life? I will not go in."
12
I discerned, and behold, Elohim had not sent him; but he pronounced this prophecy against me. Toviyah and Sanvallat had hired him.
13
He hired so that I would be afraid, do so, and sin, and that they might have material for an unfavorable report, that they might taunt me.
14
"Remember, my Elohim, Toviyah and Sanvallat according to these their works, and also the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear."
15
So the wall was finished in the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days.
16
It happened, when all our enemies heard of it, that all the nations that were about us were afraid, and were much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was worked of our Elohim.
17
Moreover in those days the nobles of Yehudah sent many letters to Toviyah, and Toviyah's letters came to them.
18
For there were many in Yehudah sworn to him, because he was the son-in-Torah of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Yehochanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as wife.
19
Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Toviyah sent letters to put me in fear.