Study Desk

Now when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach was left in it, ^(C1)although at that time I had not installed the doors in the gates,

Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying, "Come, let's meet together ^(F1)at Chephirim in the plain of ^(C1)Ono." But they were plotting to ^(F2)harm me.

So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and am unable to come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?"

Then they sent messages to me four times worded in this way, and I answered them with the same wording.

Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way a fifth time with an open letter in his hand.

In it was written: "It is reported among the nations, and ^(F1)Gashmu says, that ^(C1)you and the Jews intend to rebel; for that reason you are rebuilding the wall. And you are to be their king, according to these reports.

"You have also appointed prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning ^(F1)you, 'A king is in Judah!' And now it will be reported to the king according to these reports. So come now, let's consult together."

Then I sent a message to him saying, "Nothing like these things that you are saying has been done, but you are ^(C1)inventing them ^(F1)in your own mind."

For all of them were trying to frighten us, ^(F1)thinking, "^(F2)They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done." But now, ^(C1)God, strengthen my hands.