Nehemiah 6:1-13 ▼

1 When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had completed the wall and that no break remained in it (even though by that time I hadn't yet installed the doors in the gates),

2 Sanballat and Geshem sent word to me, saying |Come, let's meet together at Kephirim on the Ono Plain.| But they were just trying to do me harm.

3 So I sent messengers to them, replying |I am involved in a great endeavor, so I can't leave. Why should the work stop while I leave it to come down to you?|

4 They sent me this message four times, and I answered them the same way.

5 Then Sanballat sent his assistant to me the fifth time. But this time the letter was sent unsealed, and

6 in it was written: It is reported among the nations—and Gashmu confirms this—that you and the Jews are planning a revolt, and that you're rebuilding the wall in order to declare yourself king. According to these reports,

7 you also have appointed prophets to proclaim about you in Jerusalem, |There is a king in Judah!| Since these words are being reported to the king, come and let's meet together.

8 I sent word back to him, |Nothing has happened as you've claimed. You're making up these charges in your imagination.|

9 For they all were trying to make us afraid by saying, |Their hands will become tired from laboring, so the work won't be completed.| |Therefore, LORD, strengthen my hands!|

10 Later I visited Delaiah's son Shemaiah, a grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined at home. He kept urging me, |Let's meet together at the house of God, within the Temple, and take refuge there, because they're coming to kill you. In fact, they're coming at night to kill you!|

11 But I asked him, |Should a man like me run? Should someone like me run into the Temple to save his life? I won't go there!|

12 I perceived that God had not sent him. Instead, Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him to pronounce this prophecy against me.

13 He had been hired to make me afraid so I would sin by doing what he suggested. Then they could create a slanderous report to use against me.