2 Sanballat and Geshem 6:2 Neh 2:10 sent me a message: "Come, let’s meet together in the villages of 6:2 Or together at Kephirim in the Ono Valley." 6:2 1Ch 8:12 They were planning to harm me.
3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing important work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you? " 4 Four times they sent me the same proposal, and I gave them the same reply.
6 In it was written:
It is reported among the nations — and Geshem 6:6 Lit Gashmu, 6:6 Neh 2:19 agrees — that you and the Jews plan to rebel. This is the reason you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king
8 Then I replied to him, "There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind." 6:8 Jb 13:4; Ps 52:29 For they were all trying to intimidate 6:9 Ezr 3:3 us, saying, "They will drop their hands from 6:9 Or will give up on the work, 6:9 Ezr 4:4 and it will never be finished."
But now, my God, strengthen my hands. 6:9 Neh 5:19; 13:22; Ps 138:3