[an error occurred while processing this directive] | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious. He mocked the Jews |
2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2before his colleagues and the powerful men of Samaria, and said, "What are these pathetic Jews doing? Can they restore it by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they ever finish it? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?" |
3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, "Indeed, even if a fox climbed up what they are building, he would break down their stone wall!" |
4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4Listen, our God, for we are despised. Make their insults return on their own heads and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity. |
5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5Do not cover their guilt or let their sin be erased from Your sight, because they have provoked the builders. |
6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6So we rebuilt the wall until the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had the will to keep working. |
7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7When Sanballat, Tobiah, and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they became furious. |
8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw it into confusion. |
9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of them day and night. |
10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10In Judah, it was said: The strength of the laborer fails, since there is so much rubble. We will never be able to rebuild the wall. |
11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11And our enemies said, "They won't know or see anything until we're among them and can kill them and stop the work." |
12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12When the Jews who lived nearby arrived, they said to us time and again, "Everywhere you turn, they attack us." |
13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13So I stationed people behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows. |
14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14After I made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes." |
15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15When our enemies heard that we knew their scheme and that God had frustrated it, every one of us returned to his own work on the wall. |
16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16From 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, |
17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. |
18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18Each of the builders had his sword strapped around his waist while he was building, and the trumpeter was beside me. |
19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19Then 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. |
20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20Wherever you hear the trumpet sound, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!" |
21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21So we continued the work, while half of the men were holding spears from daybreak until the stars came out. |
22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22At 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." |
23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23And 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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