11
Our enemies thought we would not see them or know what was happening until they were already upon us, killing us and putting an end to our work.
12
But time after time Jews who were living among our enemies came to warn us of the plans our enemies were making against us.
13
So I armed the people with swords, spears, and bows, and stationed them by clans behind the wall, wherever it was still unfinished.
14
I saw that the people were worried, so I said to them and to their leaders and officials, "Don't be afraid of our enemies. Remember how great and terrifying the Lord is, and fight for your relatives, your children, your wives, and your homes."
15
Our enemies heard that we had found out what they were plotting, and they realized that God had defeated their plans. Then all of us went back to rebuilding the wall.
16
From then on half of my men worked and half stood guard, wearing coats of armor and armed with spears, shields, and bows. And our leaders gave their full support to the people
17
who were rebuilding the wall. Even those who carried building materials worked with one hand and kept a weapon in the other,
18
and everyone who was building kept a sword strapped to their waist. The man who was to sound the alarm on the bugle stayed with me.
19
I told the people and their officials and leaders, "The work is spread out over such a distance that we are widely separated from one another on the wall.
20
If you hear the bugle, gather around me. Our God will fight for us."
21
So every day, from dawn until the stars came out at night, half of us worked on the wall, while the other half stood guard with spears.