Conspiracy Against Nehemiah
1 Now when
1Sanballat and Tobiah and
2Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (
3although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates),
2
Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of
4Ono." But they intended to do me harm.
3
And I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?"
4
And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner.
5
In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.
6
In it was written, "It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and
5the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king.
7
And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, 'There is a king in Judah.' And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together."
8
Then I sent to him, saying, "No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind."
9
For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done." But now, O God, strengthen my hands.