Nehemiah 6

Now it came to pass when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)

When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arabian, and our other foes learned that I had successfully built the wall without any gaps, (even though I hadn't yet installed the doors on the gates), they were taken aback.

That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.

Sanballat and Geshem invited me to meet them in a village on the Ono plain. But I sensed they had harmful intentions.

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?

I've sent messages to them, saying, "I'm deeply engrossed in an important task, I can't leave it. Why should I halt my work to meet you?"

Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.

Despite their repeated attempts to reach me, four times in fact, I responded each time in the same way, with unwavering consistency.

Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;

For the fifth time, Sanballat sent his servant to me, carrying an open letter in his hand.

Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.

The rumor is spreading among the outsiders, even Gashmu is saying it, that you and the Jews are planning a rebellion. They believe you're building this wall to establish yourself as their king.

And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.

You've even appointed prophets to announce in Jerusalem, "There's a king in Judah!" Now, this news will reach the king. So let's come together and discuss this.

Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.

I messaged him, saying, "The things you're claiming never happened. You're just making them up in your own head."

For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

They tried to scare us, saying we'd lose strength and fail. But now, I pray, God, give me the power to persevere.

Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.

Then I visited Shemaiah, Delaiah's son, who was in hiding. He pleaded, "Let's seek refuge in God's house, inside the temple. We must lock the temple doors, for they are coming to kill you, even under the cover of night."

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.

I questioned myself, "Why should a person like me run away? Who, in my shoes, would seek refuge in the temple just to save their own life?" I decided, I won't do it.

And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

I realized, with a heavy heart, that God hadn't sent him. His prophecy against me was a lie, a scheme by Tobiah and Sanballat who had bought his loyalty.

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.

He was paid to scare me into sinning, to give them a reason to spread harmful rumors and shame me.

My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.

God, please remember Tobiah and Sanballat for their actions, and don't forget about the prophetess Noadiah and the other prophets who tried to scare me.

So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.

And so, on the 25th day of Elul, after 52 days of tireless work, the wall was finally completed.

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 God.

When all our foes heard of our victories, and the non-believers around us witnessed our triumphs, they were filled with self-doubt. They realized that our success was a divine blessing from our God.

Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them.

During that time, the elite of Judah frequently corresponded with Tobiah, and they also received numerous letters from him.

For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.

Many in Judah pledged loyalty to him, as he was Shechaniah's son-in-law. His son Johanan had married Meshullam's daughter, further strengthening their bond.

Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

They praised his kindness in my presence, sharing my words with him. Yet, Tobiah, in his cunning, sent letters to intimidate me.