1Now it came to pass, when Sanvalat [strength], and Toviyah [Yehovah is good], and Geshem [rain] the Aravi [Arabian], and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and [that] there was no breach (breaking forth; a break; opening, inlet) left in it; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;) 2That Sanvalat [strength] and Geshem [rain] sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in [some one of] the villages in the plain of Ono [vigorous]. But they thought to do me mischief. 3And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I [am] doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? 4Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner. 5Then sent Sanvalat [strength] his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand; 6Wherein [was] written, It is reported among the heathen, and Geshemu [rain] says [it, that] youⁱ and the Y’hudim (Judeans) think to rebel: for which cause youⁱ build the wall, that youⁱ may be their king, according to these words. 7And youⁱ have also appointed prophets to preach of youⁱ at Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace], saying, [There is] a king in Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised]: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together. 8Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as youⁱ say, but youⁱ pretend them out of youⁱ own heart. 9For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, [O God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered]], strengthen my hands.

10Afterward I came unto the house of Sh’may’yah [Yehovah hears] the son of D’layahu [Yehovah has accomplished] the son of M’heitav’el [Favoured of God], who [was] shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay youⁱ; yes, in the night will they come to slay youⁱ. 11And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who [is there], that, [being] as I [am], would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in. 12And, lo, I perceived that God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Toviyah [Yehovah is good] and Sanvalat [strength] had hired him. 13Therefore [was] he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and [that] they might have [matter] for an evil report, that they might reproach (disgrace; shame) me. 14My God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], think youⁱ upon Toviyah [Yehovah is good] and Sanvalat [strength] according to these their works, and on the prophetess No’adyah [meeting with Yehovah], and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.

15So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth [day] of [the month] Elul, in fifty and two days. 16And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard [thereof], and all the heathen that [were] about us saw [these things], they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered]. 17Moreover in those days the nobles of Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised] sent many letters unto Toviyah [Yehovah is good], and [the letters] of Toviyah [Yehovah is good] came unto them. 18For [there were] many in Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised] sworn unto him, because he [was] the son in law of Sh’khanyah [dweller with Yehovah] the son of Arach [traveller]; and his son Yochanan [Yehovah has graced] had taken the daughter of Meshulam [friend] the son of Berekhyah [Yehovah blesses]. 19Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. [And] Toviyah [Yehovah is good] sent letters to put me in fear.