Study Desk

And it happened, when it was heard by Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and to the rest of our enemies, that I had built the wall, and that no break was left in it though at that time I had not set up doors on the gates,

Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, Come, let us meet together in the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do evil to me.

And I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and come down to you?

And they sent to me four times in this way. And I answered them in the same way.

Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand, in which was written,

It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says that you and the Jews plan to rebel; for which reason you are building the wall, so that you may be a king to them, according to these words.

And you have also set up prophets to preach about you at Jerusalem, saying, A king in Judah! And now it shall be reported to the king according to these words. Therefore, come now and let us consult together.

And I sent to him, saying, These things which you are saying are not happening, for you pretend them out of your own heart.

For they all made us fear, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, and it will not be done. And now, make my hands strong.