7. And thou hast also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning thee at Jerusalem saying, There is a king in Judah! And now it will be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
8. And I sent to him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.
9. For they all would have made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be slackened from the work, that it be not carried out. --Now therefore strengthen my hands!
10. And I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabeel, who had shut himself 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 are coming to kill thee; even in the night are they coming to kill thee.
11. And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, could go into the temple, and live? I will not go in.
12. And I perceived, and behold, God had not sent him; for he pronounced this prophecy against me; and Tobijah and Sanballat had hired him.