Nehemiah 4:13-23

13then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the 1exposed places, and I 2stationed the people in families with their swords, spears and bows. 14When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: “3Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and 4fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.”

15When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that 5God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work. 16From that day on, half of my servants carried on the work while half of them held the spears, the shields, the bows and the breastplates; and the captains were behind the whole house of Judah. 17Those who were rebuilding the wall and those who carried burdens took their load with one hand doing the work and the other holding a weapon. 18As for the builders, each wore his sword girded at his side as he built, while 6the trumpeter stood near me. 19I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is great and extensive, and we are separated on the wall far from one another. 20At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, 7rally to us there. 8Our God will fight for us.”

21So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from 9dawn until the stars 10appeared. 22At that time I also said to the people, “Let each man with his servant spend the night within Jerusalem so that they may be a guard for us by night and a laborer by day.” 23So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each took his weapon even to the water.