Nehemiah 2:10-19

10When 1Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite 2official heard about it, it was very displeasing to them that someone had come to seek the welfare of the sons of Israel.

11So I 3came to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12And I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my 4mind to do for Jerusalem and there was no animal with me except the animal on which I was riding. 13So I went out at night by 5the Valley Gate in the direction of the Dragon’s Well and on to the 6Refuse Gate, inspecting the walls of Jerusalem 7which were broken down and its 8gates which were consumed by fire. 14Then I passed on to 9the Fountain Gate and 10the King’s Pool, but there was no place for 11my mount to pass. 15So I went up at night by the 12ravine and inspected the wall. Then I entered the Valley Gate again and returned. 16The officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; nor had I as yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials or the rest who did the work.

17Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that 13Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach.” 18I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us arise and build.” 14So they put their hands to the good work. 19But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite 15official, and 16Geshem the Arab heard it, 17they mocked us and despised us and said, “What is this thing you are doing? 18Are you rebelling against the king?”