Study Desk

^(F1)Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the ^(F2)repair of the walls of Jerusalem went ^(F3)on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry.

So all of them ^(C1)conspired together to come to fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it.

But we prayed to our God, and because of them we ^(C1)set up a guard against them day and night.

And so ^(F1)in Judah it was said: "The strength of the burden bearers is failing, Yet there is much rubble; And we ourselves are unable To rebuild the wall."

And our enemies said, "They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them, and put a stop to the work."

When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, "^(F1)They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,"

then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I ^(C1)stationed the people in families with their swords, spears, and bows.

When I saw their fear, I stood and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: "^(C1)Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and ^(C2)fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses."

Now when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that ^(C1)God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work.

And from that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them kept hold of the spears, the shields, the bows, and the coats of mail; and the captains were behind all the house of Judah.

Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens carried with one hand doing the work, and the other keeping hold of a weapon.

As for the builders, each wore his sword strapped to his waist as he built, while ^(F1)the trumpeter stood near me.