Book 37 : KETUVIM - NEHEMIAH - Chapter 006
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Now it came to pass, when it was reported to Sanballat and
Tobiah, and to Geshem the Arabian, and unto the rest of our enemies, that I had
builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein--though even unto
that time I had not set up the doors in the gates-
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that Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying: 'Come, let
us meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono.' But they thought
to do me mischief
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And I sent messengers unto them, saying: 'I am doing a
great work, so that I cannot come down; why should the work cease, whilst I
leave it, and come down to you?
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And they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I
answered them after the same manner
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Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the
fifth time with an open letter in his hand
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wherein was written: 'It is reported among the nations, and
Geshem saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel; for which cause thou
buildest the wall; and thou wouldest be their king, even according to these
words
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And thou hast also appointed prophets to proclaim of thee
at Jerusalem, saying: There is a king in Judah; and now shall it be reported to
the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel
together.
06:008
Then I sent unto him, saying: 'There are no such things
done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.
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For they all would have us afraid, saying: 'Their hands
shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done.' But now, strengthen Thou
my hands
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And as for me, I went unto the house of Shemaiah the son
of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut up; and he said: 'Let us meet
together in the house of G-d, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of
the temple; for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to
slay thee.
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And I said: 'Should such a man as I flee? and who is
there, that, being such as I, could go into the temple and live? I will not go
in.
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And I discerned, and, lo, G-d had not sent him; for he
pronounced this prophecy against me, whereas Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him
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For this cause was he hired, that I should be afraid, and
do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they
might taunt me
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Remember, O my G-d, Tobiah and Sanballat according to
these their works, and also the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the
prophets, that would have me put in fear
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So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of
the month Elul, in fifty and two days
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And it came to pass, when all our enemies heard thereof,
that all the nations that were about us feared, and were much cast down in their
own eyes; for they perceived that this work was wrought of our G-d
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Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many
letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them
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For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he
was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken
the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah to wife
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Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported
my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear
Book 37 : KETUVIM - NEHEMIAH - Chapter 006
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