8
And they made designs, all of them together, to come and make an attack on Jerusalem, causing trouble there.
9
But we made our prayer to God, and had men on watch against them day and night because of them.
10
And Judah said, The strength of the workmen is giving way, and there is much waste material; it is impossible for us to put up the wall.
11
And those who were against us said, Without their knowledge and without their seeing us, we will come among them and put them to death, causing the work to come to a stop.
12
And it came about that when the Jews who were living near them came, they said to us ten times, From all directions they are coming against us.
13
So in the lowest part of the space at the back of the walls, in the open places, I put the people by families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
14
And after looking, I got up and said to the great ones and to the chiefs and to the rest of the people, Have no fear of them: keep in mind the Lord who is great and greatly to be feared, and take up arms for your brothers, your sons, and your daughters, your wives and your houses.
15
And when it came to the ears of those who were against us, that we had knowledge of their designs and that God had made their purpose come to nothing, we all went back to the wall, everyone to his work
16
And from that time, half of my servants were doing their part of the work, and half kept the spears and body-covers and the bows and the metal war-dresses; and the chiefs were at the back of the men of Judah.
17
Those who were building the wall and those who were moving material did their part, everyone working with one hand, with his spear in the other;
18
Every builder was working with his sword at his side. And by my side was a man for sounding the horn.