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,^[a] because they’re coming to kill you. In fact, they’re coming at night to kill you!”

¹¹ But I asked him, “Should a man like me run? Should someone like me run into the Temple to save his life? I won’t go there!” ¹² I perceived that God had not sent him. Instead, Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him to pronounce this prophecy against me. ¹³ He had been hired to make me afraid so I would sin by doing what he suggested.^[b] Then they could create a slanderous report to use against me.

¹⁴ “Remember me, my God, and take note of what Tobiah and Sanballat are doing. Also take note of the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who intend to make me afraid.”