Nehemiah 4:12-14

Common English Bible

¹² Now the Jews who were living near them came and said to us again and again,^[a] “You must return to us!”^[b]

Armed guards protect the builders

¹³ So I took up a position in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall in an open area.^[c] Then I stationed the people by families, and they had their swords, spears, and bows. ¹⁴ After reviewing this, I stood up and said to the officials, the officers, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them! Remember that the Lord is great and awesome! Fight for your families, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses!”