Nehemiah 2:10-19

10And when 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 for three days. 12And I got up 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 Spring and on to the Dung Gate, and I was inspecting the walls of Jerusalem 6which were broken down and its 7gates which had been consumed by fire. 14Then I passed on to 8the Fountain Gate and 9the King’s Pool, but there was no place for 10my mount to pass. 15So I was going up at night by the 11ravine and inspecting the wall. Then I entered the Valley Gate again and returned. 16However, the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing; nor had I as yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or the rest who were doing the work.

17Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that 12Jerusalem is desolate and its gates have been burned by fire. Come, let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a disgrace.” 18And I 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’s arise and build.” 13So they put their hands to the good work. 19But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite 14official, and 15Geshem the Arab heard about it, 16they mocked us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? 17Are you rebelling against the king?”