Nehemiah 4:1-9 ▼

1 When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and very much incensed. He ridiculed the Jews,

2 saying in the presence of his associates and the troops of Samaria: “What are these miserable Jews trying to do? Will they complete their restoration in a single day? Will they recover these stones, burnt as they are, from the heaps of dust?”

3 Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said: “Whatever they are building—if a fox attacks it, it will breach their wall of stones!”

4 Hear, our God, how we were mocked! Turn back their reproach upon their own heads and deliver them up as plunder in a land of captivity!

5 Do not hide their crime and do not let their sin be blotted out in your sight, for they insulted the builders to their faces!

6 We, however, continued to build the wall, and soon it was completed up to half its height. The people worked enthusiastically.

7 When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem was progressing—for the gaps were beginning to be closed up—they became extremely angry.

8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to throw us into confusion.

9 We prayed to our God and posted a watch against them day and night for fear of what they might do.