1. When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem was progressing—for the gaps were beginning to be closed up—they became extremely angry.
2. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to throw us into confusion.
3. We prayed to our God and posted a watch against them day and night for fear of what they might do.
4. Meanwhile the Judahites were saying:“Slackened is the bearers’ strength,there is no end to the rubbish;Never will we be ableto rebuild the wall.”
5. Our enemies thought, “Before they are aware of it or see us, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.”
6. When the Jews who lived near them had come to us from one place after another, and had told us ten times over that they were about to attack us,
7. I stationed guards down below, behind the wall, near the exposed points, assigning them by family groups with their swords, spears, and bows.