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| [1]Now it came to pass, when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah, and to Geshem the Arabian, and unto the rest of our enemies, that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein—though even unto that time I had not set up the doors in the gates— |
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| [2]That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying: 'Come, let us meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono.' But they thought to do me mischief. |
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| [3]And I sent messengers unto them, saying: 'I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down; why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?' |
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| [4]And they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner. |
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| [5]Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand; |
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| [6]Wherein was written: 'It is reported among the nations, and Geshem saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel; for which cause thou buildest the wall; and thou wouldest be their king, even according to these words. |
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| [7]And thou hast also appointed prophets to proclaim 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 n therefore, and let us take counsel together.' |
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| [8]Then I sent unto him, saying: 'There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.' |
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| [9]For they all would have us afraid, saying: 'Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done.' But now, strengthen Thou my hands. |
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| [10]And as for me, I went unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son Mehetabel, who was shut up; and he said: 'Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple; for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.' |
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| [11]And I said: 'Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being such as I, could go into the temple and live? I will not go in.' |
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| [12]And I discerned, and, lo, God had not sent him; for he pronounced this prophecy against me, whereas Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. |
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| [13]For this cause was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might taunt me. |
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| [14]Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and also the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have me put in fear. |
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| [15]So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. |
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| [16]And it came to pass, when all our enemies heard thereof, that all the nations that were about us feared, and were much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God. |
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| [17]Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unt Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them. |
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| [18]For there were many in Judah sworn unto him because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah to wife. |
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| [19]Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear. |
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