1
Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breachlefttherein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)
2
That Sanballat and Geshemsent unto me, saying, Come, let us meettogether in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
3
And I sentmessengers unto them, saying, I am doing a greatwork, so that I cannot come down: why should the workcease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
4
Yet they sent unto me fourtimes after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
5
Then sentSanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifthtime with an openletter in his hand;
6
Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu[a]saith it, that thou and the Jewsthink to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.
7
And thou hast also appointedprophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem,saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words.Come now therefore, and let us take counseltogether.
8
Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such thingsdone as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.
9
For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.