Holman Christian Standard Bible CSB
New International Version NIV
16 From that day on, half of my men did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers supported all the people of Judah,
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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 rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.
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who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other,
18 Each of the builders had his sword strapped around his waist while he was building, and the trumpeter was beside me.
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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 said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: "The work is enormous and spread out, and we are separated far from one another 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 Wherever you hear the trumpet sound, rally to us there. 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 So we continued the work, while half of the men were holding spears from daybreak until the stars came out.
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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 At that time, I also said to the people, "Let everyone and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day."
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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 And I, my brothers, my men, and the guards with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing.
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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.
Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.