Now it came to pass when Sanballat, and Ṭôbı̂yâhû, and Geshem the Ărâbı̂y, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)
That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ônô. But they thought to do me mischief.
And 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?
Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
Wherein was written, it is reported among the heathen, and Geshem said it, that you and the Yahûdı̂y think to rebel: for which cause you build the wall, that you may be their king, according to these words.
And you have also appointed prophets to preach of you at Yerûshâlaim, saying, there is a king in Yahûdâh: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
Then I sent unto him, saying, there are no such things done as you say, but you feign them out of your own heart.
For they all made us afraid, saying, their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. But instead, I then redoubled my efforts.
Afterward I came unto the house of Shemayâhû the son of Delâyâhû the son of Mehêyṭabêl (מְהֵיטַבְאֵל), who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of ĔLÔHÎYM (אֱלֹהִים), within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay you; yea, in the night will they come to slay you.
And 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.
And, lo, I perceived that ĔLÔHÎYM (אֱלֹהִים) had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Ṭôbı̂yâhû and Sanballat had hired him.
Therefore 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 me.
My ĔLÔHÎYM (אֱלֹהִים), think you upon Ṭôbı̂yâhû and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Nôadyâh (נוֹעַדְיָה), and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.
So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Ĕlûl (אֱלוּל), in fifty and two days.
And 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 ĔLÔHÎYM (אֱלֹהִים).
Moreover in those days the nobles of Yahûdâh sent many letters unto Ṭôbı̂yâhû, and the letters of Ṭôbı̂yâhû came unto them.
For there were many in Yahûdâh sworn unto him, because he was the son in Tôrâh of Shekanyâhû the son of Ârach (אָרַח); and his son Yehôchânân (יְהוֹחָנָן) had taken the daughter of Meshûllâm the son of Berekyâhû.
Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Ṭôbı̂yâhû sent letters to put me in fear.
