¹⁶ And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid^[a] and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.^(A)

The New Generation Circumcised

5 ^[a]When all the kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan to the west and all the kings of the Canaanites by the sea heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan for the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted, and there was no longer any spirit in them because of the Israelites.^(A)

^7 [a]But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and the gaps were beginning to be closed, they were very angry^(A)

Hostile Plots Thwarted

4 ^[a]Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he mocked the Jews.^(A)

¹⁰ When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official^[a] heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the Israelites.^(A)

³⁸ So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail;^(A)

Intrigues of Enemies Foiled

6 Now when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah and to Geshem the Arab and to the rest of our enemies that I had built the wall and that there was no gap left in it (though up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates),^{(A) 2} Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together in one of the villages^[a] in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm.^(B)

²⁵ He clogged^[a] their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”^(A)