7-8 Then I said, “If it please the king, provide me with letters to the governors across the Euphrates that authorize my travel through to Judah; and also an order to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, to supply me with timber for the beams of The Temple fortress, the wall of the city, and the house where I’ll be living.”

8-9 The generous hand of my God was with me in this and the king gave them to me. When I met the governors across The River (the Euphrates) I showed them the king’s letters. The king even sent along a cavalry escort.

10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very upset, angry that anyone would come to look after the interests of the People of Israel.

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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)

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