1. But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we built the wall, he was angry, and felt great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
2. And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they finish in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?
3. Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox goes up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
4. Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a spoil in a land of captivity:
5. And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before you: for they have provoked you to anger before the builders.
6. So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
7. But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being repaired, and that the breaks began to be closed, then they were very angry,
8. And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
9. Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
10. And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is failing, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.