New Living Translation NLT
New International Version NIV
16 But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah
16
From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah
17 who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon.
17
who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other,
18 All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.
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and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.
19 Then I explained to the nobles and officials and all the people, “The work is very spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall.
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Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall.
20 When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!”
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Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!”
21 We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard.
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So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out.
22 I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day.
22
At that time I also said to the people, “Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.”
23 During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.
23
Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.
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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.