17. who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried the loads worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.
18. Each of the builders had his sword strapped around his waist while he was building, and the trumpeter was beside me.
19. Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “The work is enormous and spread out, and we are separated far from one another along the wall.
20. Wherever you hear the trumpet sound, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us! ”
21. So we continued the work, while half of the men were holding spears from daybreak until the stars came out.
22. At that time, I also said to the people, “Let everyone and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day.”
23. And I, my brothers, my men, and the guards with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing.