6 When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that we had almost completed the rebuilding of the wall—though we had not yet hung all the doors of the gates— ² they sent me a message asking me to meet them in one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to kill me, ³ so I replied by sending back this message to them: “I am doing a great work! Why should I stop to come and visit with you?”

⁴ Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply. ^5-6 The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, and this is what it said:

“Geshem tells me that everywhere he goes he hears that the Jews are planning to rebel, and that is why you are building the wall. He claims you plan to be their king—that is what is being said. ⁷ He also reports that you have appointed prophets to campaign for you at Jerusalem by saying, ‘Look! Nehemiah is just the man we need!’

“You can be very sure that I am going to pass along these interesting comments to King Artaxerxes! I suggest that you come and talk it over with me—for that is the only way you can save yourself!”

⁸ My reply was, “You know you are lying. There isn’t one bit of truth to the whole story. ⁹ You’re just trying to scare us into stopping our work.” (O Lord God, please strengthen me!)