Nehemiah:6:1-14

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* And it came to pass when Sanballat , and Tobijah , and Geshem the Arabian , and the rest of our enemies , heard that I had built the wall , and that there was no breach left in it (though at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates ), * that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me , saying , Come , let us meet together in the villages in the plain of Ono . But they thought to do me mischief . * And I sent messengers to them , saying , I am doing a great work , and I cannot come down . Why should the work cease , whilst I leave it and come down to you ? * And they sent to me four times after this sort ; and I answered them in the same manner . * Then sent Sanballat his servant to me in this manner the fifth time , with an open letter in his hand , * in which was written : It is reported among the nations , and Gashmu says [it , that ] thou and the Jews think to rebel , for which cause thou buildest the wall , and according to these words thou wilt become their king . * And thou hast also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning thee at Jerusalem saying , There is a king in Judah ! And now it will be reported to the king according to these words . Come now therefore , and let us take counsel together . * And I sent to him , saying , There are no such things done as thou sayest , but thou feignest them out of thine own heart . * For they all would have made us afraid , saying , Their hands shall be slackened from the work , that it be not carried out . -- Now therefore strengthen my hands ! * And I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah , the son of Mehetabeel , who had shut himself 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 are coming to kill thee ; even in the night are they coming to kill thee . * And I said , Should such a man as I flee ? and who is there , that , being as I am , could go into the temple , and live ? I will not go in . * And I perceived , and behold , God had not sent him ; for he pronounced this prophecy against me ; and Tobijah and Sanballat had hired him . * Therefore was he hired , that I should be afraid , and do so , and sin , and that they might have wherewith to spread an evil report , that they might reproach me . * My God , remember Tobijah and Sanballat according to these their works , and also the prophetess Noadiah , and the rest of the prophets who would have put me in fear .

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