29,314 verses contain “and” (in the KJV: 28,365, in the BSB: 19,838) — showing 11,101–11,200
King James Bible KJV Bible
Berean Standard Bible BSB Bible
And a letter unto
Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which
appertained to the house,
and for the wall of the city,
and for the house that I shall enter into.
And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
And may I have a letter to
Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall,
and for the house I will occupy.”
And because the
gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.
Then I came to the governors beyond the river,
and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army
and horsemen with me.
Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.
But when
Sanballat the Horonite
and Tobiah the
Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.
So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days.
After I had arrived in Jerusalem and had been there three days,
And I arose in the night, I
and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I
rode upon.
I set out at night with a few men. I did not tell
anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal with me was the one on which I was riding.
And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the
dragon well,
and to the dung port,
and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down,
and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.
So I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Well of the Serpent
and the Dung Gate,
and I
inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down
and the gates that had been destroyed by fire.
Then I went on to the gate of the fountain,
and to the king’s
pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.
Then I went on to the Fountain Gate
and the King’s
Pool, but there was no room for the animal under me to get through;
Then went I up in the night by the
brook,
and viewed the wall,
and turned back,
and entered by the gate of the valley,
and so returned.
so I went up the valley by night
and inspected the wall. Then I headed back
and reentered through the Valley Gate.
And the rulers knew not
whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, for I had not yet told the Jews or priests or nobles or officials or any other workers.
Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.
Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned down. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.”
Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
I also told them about the
gracious hand of my God upon me,
and what the king had said to me. “Let us start rebuilding,” they replied,
and they set their hands to this good work.
But when
Sanballat the Horonite,
Tobiah the
Ammonite official,
and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they
mocked us
and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”
Then answered I them,
and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will
prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise
and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor
memorial, in Jerusalem.
So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests,
and they builded the sheep gate; they
sanctified it,
and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they
sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.
At the Sheep Gate, Eliashib the high priest
and his fellow priests began rebuilding. They dedicated it
and installed its doors. After building as far as the Tower of the Hundred
and the Tower of Hananel, they dedicated the wall.
And next unto him builded the men of
Jericho.
And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.
The men of
Jericho built next to Eliashib,
and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them.
But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams
and installed its doors, bolts,
and bars.
And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz.
And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel.
And next unto them repaired
Zadok the son of Baana.
Next to them, Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, made repairs. Next to him, Meshullam son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs;
and next to him,
Zadok son of Baana made repairs as well.
And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.
Next to him, the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah
and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams
and installed its doors, bolts,
and bars.
And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite,
and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of
Gibeon,
and of
Mizpah, unto the throne of the governor on this side the river.
Next to them, repairs were made by Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite,
and the men of
Gibeon and Mizpah, who were under the authority of the governor of the region west of the Euphrates.
Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the
apothecaries,
and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall.
Next to them, Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs,
and next to him, Hananiah son of the
perfumer made repairs. They fortified Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.
And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
Next to them, Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, made repairs;
And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.
next to him, Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs across from his house; and next to him, Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs.
Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahath-moab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.
Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-moab repaired another section, as well as the Tower of the Ovens.
And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
And next to them, Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of the other half-district of Jerusalem, made repairs, with the help of his daughters.
The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate.
The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun
and the residents of Zanoah. They rebuilt it,
installed its doors, bolts,
and bars,
and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall as far as the Dung Gate.
But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Beth-haccerem; he build it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
The Dung Gate was repaired by Malchijah son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem. He rebuilt it
and installed its doors, bolts,
and bars.
But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of
Col-hozeh, the ruler of part of
Mizpah; he built it,
and covered it,
and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof,
and the bars thereof,
and the wall of the
pool of
Siloah by the king’s garden,
and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.
The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of
Col-hozeh, ruler of the district of
Mizpah. He rebuilt it, roofed it,
and installed its doors, bolts,
and bars. He also repaired the wall of the
Pool of Shelah near the king’s garden, as far as the stairs that descend from the City of David.
After him repaired
Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Beth-zur, unto the place over against the
sepulchres of David,
and to the
pool that was made,
and unto the house of the mighty.
Beyond him,
Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of a half-district of Beth-zur, made repairs up to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial
pool and the House of the Mighty.
After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.
Next to him, the Levites made repairs under Rehum son of Bani, and next to him, Hashabiah, ruler of a half-district of Keilah, made repairs for his district.
And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of
Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.
And next to him, Ezer son of Jeshua, ruler of
Mizpah, repaired another section opposite the
Ascent to the
Armory, near the angle in the wall.
And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.
And next to him, the priests from the surrounding area made repairs.
After him repaired Benjamin
and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired
Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house.
Beyond them, Benjamin
and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house,
and next to them,
Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house.
After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece, from the house of
Azariah unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner.
After him, Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of
Azariah to the angle
and the corner,
Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall, and the tower which lieth out from the king’s high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh.
and Palal son of Uzai made repairs opposite the angle
and the tower that juts out from the upper palace of the king near the
courtyard of the guard. Next to him, Pedaiah son of Parosh
Moreover the
Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east,
and the tower that lieth out.
and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the tower that juts out.
After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.
And next to them, the Tekoites repaired another section, from a point opposite the great tower that juts out to the wall of Ophel.
After them repaired
Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.
Next to them,
Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house,
and next to him, Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the guard of the East Gate, made repairs.
After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.
Next to him, Hananiah son of Shelemiah, as well as Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. Next to them, Meshullam son of Berechiah made repairs opposite his own quarters.
After him repaired Malchiah the
goldsmith’s son unto the place of the
Nethinims,
and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad,
and to the going up of the corner.
Next to him, Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the upper room above the corner.
And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.
And between the upper room above the corner and the Sheep Gate, the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs.
And he spake before his brethren
and the army of Samaria,
and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they
fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the
rubbish which are burned?
before his associates
and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of
rubble?”
Now
Tobiah the
Ammonite was by him,
and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
Then
Tobiah the
Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to
climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”
Hear, O our God; for we are
despised:
and turn their reproach upon their own head,
and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
Hear us, O God, for we are
despised. Turn their
scorn back upon their own heads,
and let them be taken as
plunder to a land of captivity.
And cover not their iniquity,
and let not their sin be
blotted out from before thee: for they have
provoked thee to anger before the builders.
Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be
blotted out from Your sight, for they have
provoked the builders.
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
But it came to pass, that when
Sanballat,
and Tobiah,
and the Arabians,
and the
Ammonites,
and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up,
and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very
wroth,
When
Sanballat and Tobiah, together with the Arabs,
Ammonites,
and Ashdodites, heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing
and that the gaps were being closed, they were
furious,
And conspired all of them together to come
and to fight against Jerusalem,
and to hinder it.
Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
So we prayed to our God and posted a guard against them day and night.
And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed,
and there is much
rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
Meanwhile, the people of Judah said: “The strength of the laborer fails,
and there is so much
rubble that we will never be able to rebuild the wall.”
And our
adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them,
and slay them,
and cause the work to cease.
And our enemies said, “Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.”
And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.
At that time the Jews who lived nearby came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”
Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
So I stationed men behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the
vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears,
and bows.
And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
After I had made an inspection, I stood up
and said to the nobles, the officials,
and the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great
and awesome,
and fight for your brothers, your sons
and your daughters, your wives
and your homes.”
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us,
and God had brought their counsel to
nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
When our enemies heard that we were aware of their scheme
and that God had
frustrated it, each of us returned to his own work on the wall.
And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
And from that day on, half of my servants did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows,
and armor. The officers stationed themselves behind all the people of Judah
They which builded on the wall,
and they that bare burdens, with those that
laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work,
and with the other hand held a weapon.
who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.
For the builders, every one had his sword
girded by his side,
and so builded.
And he that sounded the
trumpet was by me.
And each of the builders worked with his sword
strapped at his side. But the
trumpeter stayed beside me.
And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “The work is great and extensive, and we are spread out far from one another along the wall.
So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
So we continued the work, while half of the men held spears from the break of
dawn until the stars came out.
Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant
lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us,
and labour on the day.
At that time I also said to the people, “Let every man
and his servant
spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night
and work by day.”
And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
About that time there was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews.
For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.
Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous. We must get grain in order to eat and stay alive.”
Some also there were that said, We have
mortgaged our lands, vineyards,
and houses, that we might
buy corn, because of the
dearth.
Others were saying, “We are
mortgaging our fields, our vineyards,
and our homes to get grain during the famine.”
There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.
Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children:
and, lo, we bring into
bondage our sons
and our daughters to be servants,
and some of our daughters are brought unto
bondage already: neither is it in our power to
redeem them; for other men have our lands
and vineyards.
We
and our children are just like our countrymen
and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons
and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already
enslaved, but we are powerless to
redeem them because our fields
and vineyards belong to others.”
And I was very
angry when I heard their cry
and these words.
When I heard their outcry
and these complaints, I became extremely
angry,
Then I consulted with myself,
and I
rebuked the nobles,
and the rulers,
and said unto them, Ye exact
usury, every one of his brother.
And I set a great assembly against them.
and after serious thought I
rebuked the nobles
and officials, saying, “You are exacting
usury from your own brothers!” So I called a large assembly against them
And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
and said, “We have done our best to
buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say.
I likewise,
and my brethren,
and my servants, might exact of them money
and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this
usury.
I, as well as my brothers
and my servants, have been
lending the people money
and grain. Please, let us stop this
usury.
Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards,
and their houses, also the
hundredth part of the money,
and of the corn, the wine,
and the oil, that ye exact of them.
Please restore to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves,
and houses, along with the percentage of the money, grain, new wine,
and oil that you have been
assessing them.”
Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.
“We will restore it,” they replied, “and will require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” So I summoned the priests and required of the nobles and officials an oath that they would do what they had promised.
Also I
shook my
lap,
and said, So God
shake out every man from his house,
and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he
shaken out,
and emptied.
And all the congregation said,
Amen,
and praised the LORD.
And the people did according to this promise.
I also
shook out the folds of my
robe and said, “May God likewise
shake out of His house
and possession every man who does not keep this promise. May such a man be
shaken out
and have nothing!” The whole assembly said, “
Amen,”
and they praised the LORD.
And the people did as they had promised.
Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the
twentieth year even unto the two
and thirtieth year of
Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I
and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
Furthermore, from the day King
Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah, from his
twentieth year until his thirty-second year (twelve years total), neither I nor my brothers
ate the food
allotted to the governor.
But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people,
and had taken of them bread
and wine, beside forty shekels of silver;
yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
The governors before me had
heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread
and wine
plus forty shekels of silver. Their servants also
oppressed the people, but I did not do this because of my fear of God.
Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land:
and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.
Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of the wall, and all my servants were gathered there for the work; we did not acquire any land.
Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us.
There were 150 Jews and officials at my table, besides the guests from the surrounding nations.
Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox
and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me,
and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the
bondage was heavy upon this people.
Each day one ox, six choice sheep,
and some fowl were prepared for me,
and once every ten days an abundance of all kinds of wine was provided. But I did not demand the food
allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy.
Now it came to pass, when
Sanballat,
and Tobiah,
and Geshem the Arabian,
and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall,
and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)
When
Sanballat,
Tobiah, Geshem the Arab,
and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall
and not a
gap was left—though to that time I had not yet
installed the doors in the gates—
That
Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were
planning to
harm me.
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?
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?”
Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.
Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen,
and Gashmu saith it, that thou
and the Jews think to
rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.
that read: “It is reported among the nations—
and Geshem agrees—that you
and the Jews are
plotting to revolt,
and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king,
And thou hast also appointed prophets to
preach 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.
and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to
proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us
confer together.”
For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be
weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God,
strengthen my hands.
For they were all trying to
frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be
weakened in the work,
and it will never be finished.” But now, my God,
strengthen my hands.
Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up;
and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, 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.
Later, I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his house. He said: “Let us meet at the house of God inside the temple. Let us shut the temple doors because they are coming to kill you— by night they are coming to kill you!”
And I said, Should such a man as I
flee?
and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
But I replied, “Should a man like me run away? Should one like me go into the temple to save his own life? I will not go!”
And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for
Tobiah and Sanballat had
hired him.
I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because
Tobiah and Sanballat had
hired him.
Therefore 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 reproach me.
He had been
hired to
intimidate me so that I would sin by doing as he suggested, so they could give me a bad name in order to discredit me.
My God, think thou upon
Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works,
and on the
prophetess Noadiah,
and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.
So the wall was finished in the twenty
and fifth day of the month
Elul, in fifty
and two days.
So the wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth of
Elul.
And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid
and disheartened, for they realized that this task had been accomplished by our God.
Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto
Tobiah,
and the letters of
Tobiah came unto them.
Also in those days, the nobles of Judah sent many letters to
Tobiah,
and Tobiah’s letters came back to them.
For there were many in Judah
sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah;
and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.
For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, since he was a son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.
Also they reported his good deeds before me,
and uttered my words to him.
And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
Moreover, these nobles kept reporting to me
Tobiah’s good deeds,
and they relayed my words to him.
And Tobiah sent letters to
intimidate me.
Now it came to pass, when the wall was built,
and I had set up the doors,
and the
porters and the singers
and the Levites were appointed,
When the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites were appointed.
That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
Then I put my brother Hanani in charge of Jerusalem, along with Hananiah the commander of the fortress, because he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.
And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot;
and while they stand by, let them shut the doors,
and bar them:
and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch,
and every one to be over against his house.
And I told them, “Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot. While the guards are on duty, keep the doors shut
and securely fastened.
And appoint the residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts
and some at their own homes.”
Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded.
Now the city was large
and spacious, but there were few people in it,
and the houses had not yet been rebuilt.