1. When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that there was not a gap in it (though at that time I had not erected the doors on the gates),
2. Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, that we might meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono.”But they planned to do evil to me.
3. So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so I am not able to come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and come down to you?”
4. Four more times they sent for me like this, but I answered them the same way.
5. Sanballat sent the same request a fifth time by his servant, but the letter was open in his hand.
6. In it was written,“It is reported among the nations, and Geshem confirms it, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel; consequently you are rebuilding the wall. According to these words, you are their king.
7. You have also appointed prophets to preach on your behalf in Jerusalem, saying, ‘There is a king in Judah!’ According to these words, it will now be reported to the king. So come now and let us consult together.”