Nehemiah 4:7-23

71Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the 2repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry. 8All of them 3conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause a disturbance in it. 9But we prayed to our God, and because of them we 4set up a guard against them day and night.

10Thus 5in Judah it was said, “The strength of the burden bearers is failing, Yet there is much 6rubbish; And we ourselves are unable To rebuild the wall.” 11Our enemies said, “They will not know or see until we come among them, kill them and put a stop to the work.” 12When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “7They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,” 13then I stationed men in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, the 8exposed places, and I 9stationed 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: “10Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and 11fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.”

15When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that 12God 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 13the 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, 14rally to us there. 15Our God will fight for us.”

21So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from 16dawn until the stars 17appeared. 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.