⁸ I sent word back^[a] to him, “Nothing has happened as you’ve claimed. You’re making up these charges^[b] in your imagination.”^{[c] 9} For they all were trying to make us afraid by saying, “Their hands will become tired from laboring, so the work won’t be completed.”

“Therefore, Lord,^[d] strengthen my hands!”

A Conspiracy Charge Emerges

¹⁰ Later I visited Delaiah’s son Shemaiah, a grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined at home. He kept urging me, “Let’s meet together at the house of God, within the Temple, and take refuge there,^[e] because they’re coming to kill you. In fact, they’re coming at night to kill you!”