Context Work Is Ridiculed1Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews. 2He spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said, What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a day? Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble even the burned ones? 3Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him and he said, Even what they are buildingif a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down! 4Hear, O our God, how we are despised! Return their reproach on their own heads and give them up for plunder in a land of captivity. 5Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before You, for they have demoralized the builders. 6So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. 7Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry. 8All of them conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause a disturbance in it. Discouragement Overcome 9But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night. 10Thus in Judah it was said, 11Our enemies said, They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them and put a stop to the work. 12When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, They will come up against us from every place where you may turn, 13then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the exposed places, and I stationed the people in families with their swords, spears and bows. 14When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses. 15When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work. 16From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah. 17Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. 18As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me. 19I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another. 20At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us. 21So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars appeared. 22At that time I also said to the people, Let each man with his servant spend the night within Jerusalem so that they may be a guard for us by night and a laborer by day. 23So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each took his weapon even to the water. Parallel Verses American Standard VersionBut it came to pass that, when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. Douay-Rheims Bible And it came to pass, that when Sanaballat heard that we were building the wall he was angry: and being moved exceedingly he scoffed at the Jews. Darby Bible Translation And it came to pass that when Sanballat heard that we built the wall, he was angry and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. English Revised Version But it came to pass that, when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. Webster's Bible Translation But it came to pass that when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. World English Bible But it happened that when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. Young's Literal Translation And it cometh to pass, when Sanballat hath heard that we are building the wall, that it is displeasing to him, and he is very angry and mocketh at the Jews, Library Discouragements and Courage'Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. 10. And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. 11. And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. 12. And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Two Guards, Praying and Watching Centenary Commemoration of the Consecration of Bishop Seabury. 1884. Heathen Plots Letter xxxiv. To Marcella. The Church Triumphant "If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, He is None of His. " An Era of Spiritual Darkness Ezra-Nehemiah Links Nehemiah 4:1 NIV • Nehemiah 4:1 NLT • Nehemiah 4:1 ESV • Nehemiah 4:1 NASB • Nehemiah 4:1 KJV • Nehemiah 4:1 Bible Apps • Nehemiah 4:1 Parallel • Bible Hub |