Add parallel Print Page Options

Also give me a letter for Asaph, who takes care of the king's forest there. Tell him to give me wood from the trees. I need to make beams to mend the gates of the strong place near the temple. I also need to mend the city's wall. And I need to build a house for myself to live in.’

The king agreed to do what I asked him, because my God was with me.

The king sent officers of his army to keep me safe on the journey. He also sent soldiers who rode on horses. I went to the king's officers on the west side of the Euphrates river. I gave them the letters which the king had written. 10 But two important men were not happy when they heard that I had come to help the Israelite people. They were Sanballat, who came from Horon, and Tobiah, an Ammonite officer.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2:10 Sanballat and Tobiah thought that they might lose their authority over Jerusalem's people. They did not want the Jews to make the city strong again.

And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel(A) by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me,(B) the king granted my requests.(C) So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry(D) with me.

10 When Sanballat(E) the Horonite and Tobiah(F) the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.(G)

Read full chapter