17. The people continued to build the wall. Those who carried supplies did their work with one hand. They held a weapon in the other hand.
18. Each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who blew the trumpet stayed with me.
19. Then I spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people. I said, "This is a big job. It covers a lot of territory. We're separated too far from one another along the wall.
20. When you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us at that location. Our God will fight for us!"
21. So we continued the work. Half of the men held spears. We worked from the first light of sunrise until the stars came out at night.
22. At that time I also spoke to the people. I told them, "Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night. Then they can guard us at night. And they can work during the day."