Nehemiah 6:1-9
New Living Translation
Continued Opposition to Rebuilding
6 Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates. 2 So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages[a] in the plain of Ono.
But I realized they were plotting to harm me, 3 so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?”
4 Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply. 5 The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, 6 and this is what it said:
“There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem[b] tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king. 7 He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim about you, ‘Look! There is a king in Judah!’
“You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.”
8 I replied, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.”
9 They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.[c]
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Nehemiah 6:1-9
International Standard Version
A Diversion is Attempted
6 When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had completed the wall and that no break remained in it (even though by that time I hadn’t yet installed the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent word[a] to me, saying “Come, let’s meet together at Kephirim on the Ono Plain.” But they were just trying to do me harm.
3 So I sent messengers to them, replying “I am involved in a great endeavor, so I can’t leave. Why should the work stop while I leave it to come down to you?” 4 They sent me this message four times, and I answered them the same way.
5 Then Sanballat sent his assistant to me the fifth time. But this time the letter was sent[b] unsealed, and 6 in it was written:
It is reported among the nations—and Gashmu confirms this—that you and the Jews are planning a revolt, and that you’re rebuilding the wall in order to declare yourself king. According to these reports, 7 you also have appointed prophets to proclaim about you in Jerusalem, “There is a king in Judah!” Since these words are being reported to the king, come and let’s meet together.
8 I sent word back[c] to him, “Nothing has happened as you’ve claimed. You’re making up these charges[d] in your imagination.”[e] 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,[f] strengthen my hands!”
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- Nehemiah 6:2 The Heb. lacks word
- Nehemiah 6:5 The Heb. lacks sent
- Nehemiah 6:8 The Heb. lacks word back
- Nehemiah 6:8 The Heb. lacks charges
- Nehemiah 6:8 Lit. heart
- Nehemiah 6:9 The Heb. lacks Lord
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