A Diversion is Attempted

1When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had completed the wall and that no break remained in it (even though by that time I hadn’t yet installed the doors in the gates), 2Sanballat and Geshem sent worda to me, saying “Come, let’s meet together at Kephirim on the Ono Plain.” But they were just trying to do me harm.

3So I sent messengers to them, replying “I am involved in a great endeavor, so I can’t leave. Why should the work stop while I leave it to come down to you?” 4They sent me this message four times, and I answered them the same way.

5Then Sanballat sent his assistant to me the fifth time. But this time the letter was sentb unsealed, and 6in it was written:

It is reported among the nations—and Gashmu confirms this—that you and the Jews are planning a revolt, and that you’re rebuilding the wall in order to declare yourself king. According to these reports, 7you also have appointed prophets to proclaim about you in Jerusalem, “There is a king in Judah!” Since these words are being reported to the king, come and let’s meet together.

8I sent word backc to him, “Nothing has happened as you’ve claimed. You’re making up these chargesd in your imagination.”e 9For they all were trying to make us afraid by saying, “Their hands will become tired from laboring, so the work won’t be completed.”

“Therefore, LORD,f strengthen my hands!”

A Conspiracy Charge Emerges

10Later I visited Delaiah’s son Shemaiah, a grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined at home. He kept urging me, “Let’s meet together at the house of God, within the Temple, and take refuge there,g because they’re coming to kill you. In fact, they’re coming at night to kill you!”

11But I asked him, “Should a man like me run? Should someone like me run into the Temple to save his life? I won’t go there!” 12I perceived that God had not sent him. Instead, Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him to pronounce this prophecy against me. 13He had been hired to make me afraid so I would sin by doing what he suggested.h Then they could create a slanderous report to use against me.

14“Remember me, my God, and take note of what Tobiah and Sanballat are doing. Also take note of the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who intend to make me afraid.”

15So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth day of Elul in 52 days.

Tobiah’s Continued Harrassment

16When all of our enemies—including the surrounding nations—heard this, they became very discouraged, since they saw that the work had been done by our God. 17Meanwhile, at that time the nobles of Judah continued to send many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah kept sending lettersi to them. 18For many Judeans had sworn allegiance to him, since he was son-in-law to Arah’s son Shecaniah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Berechiah’s son Meshullam. 19Furthermore, they kept reporting Tobiah’sj good deeds to me, and kept repeating what I told him. Tobiah kept sending letters to intimidate me.