11 I arrived in Jerusalem and rested for three days. 12 Then I got up during the night and went out with just a few men. I didn’t explain to anyone what my God had put in my head to do for Jerusalem. I only took one horse to ride.2:12. In other words he was keeping his mission as quiet as possible and minimizing any noise from his group. 13 So I rode in the dark through the Valley Gate toward the Spring of the Serpent and the Refuse Gate, and I inspected Jerusalem’s walls that had been knocked over and the gates that had been burned down. 14 Then I continued on to the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but we couldn’t get through as there wasn’t enough room to pass. 15 So I went up along the valley in the dark and inspected the wall. Then I returned, going back through the Valley Gate.
16 Those in charge of the city had no idea where I had gone or what I was doing, because I hadn’t yet told the Jews, priests, nobles, or officials or any others about the construction plans.2:16. "Construction plans": literally, "doers of the work."
17 Then I said to them, "Look at the trouble we’re in! Jerusalem is a heap of rubble, and its gates have been burned down. Come on, let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we won’t be so ashamed any more." 18 Then I explained to them how good God had been to me, and what the king had told me.
"Let’s get on with the rebuilding," they replied, and they set to work enthusiastically.2:18. "They set to work enthusiastically": literally, "they strengthened their hands for the good."