Nehemiah 6:1-7 ▼

1 When Sanballat (strength), Tobiah (YHWH is good), Geshem (rain) the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates—

2 Sanballat (strength) and Geshem (rain) sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages (in Kephirim) on the plain (in the valley) of Ono (vigorous).” But they were planning to harm me.

3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you⁺?”

4 Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.

5 The fifth time, Sanballat (strength) sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter

6 that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem \Gashmu/ agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king,

7 and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem (city of peace) to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah (praised).’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.”