Nehemiah 4
A Tool in One Hand and a Sword in the Other
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The Adversaries Gather to Fight
4:1When Sanaballat, Tobia, the Arabs and the Ammanites heard that growth had risen on Jerusalem’s walls, that the breaches were beginning to be blocked, it seemed very bad to them.
4:2They all gathered together to come and draw up for battle in Jerusalem.
4:3We prayed to our God and stationed outposts against them day and night because of them.
The Strength of the Bearers Fails
4:4Judah said, “The strength of the enemies has been crushed. There is much rubble, and we will not be able to build the wall.”
4:5Those who were afflicting us said, “They will neither know nor see until we come among them, murder them, and bring the work to a stop.”
4:6When the Jews who lived beside them came, they told us, “They are coming up against us from every place.”
Swords, Spears and Bows Set at the Wall
4:7I stationed people in the lowest parts of the place behind the wall, in the sheltered areas. I stationed the people by local groups, with their swords, their spears and their bows.
4:8I looked, arose, and said to the honored men, the commanders and the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember our God, great and fearsome, and draw up for battle for your brothers, your sons and daughters, your wives and your houses.”
4:9When our enemies heard that it had become known to us, and God had scattered their counsel, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.
Half at the Work, Half with Spears
4:10From that day on, half of those who had been shaken out did the work, and half of them held firm. Spears, shields, bows and breastplates were there, and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah,
4:11those building on the wall. Those carrying with lifting gear were armed; with one hand each did the work itself, and the other held a dart.
4:12The builders worked with each man’s sword girded at his waist, and the one sounding the horn was beside him.
Our God Will Fight for Us
4:13I said to the honored men, the leaders and the rest of the people, “The work is widespread and great, and we are scattered along the wall, each far from his brother.
4:14At whatever place you hear the sound of the horn, gather to us there, and our God will wage war for us.”
4:15We continued doing the work, while half of them held spears from the rising of dawn until the stars came out.
A Watch by Night and Work by Day
4:16At that time I told the people, “Lodge within Jerusalem, and let the night be a watch for you, and the day, work.”
4:17I was there, with the men of the guard behind me, and not one of us took off his clothes.
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Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.