Nehemiah 6:6–13

⁶It is reported amongst the Gentiles, and Gossem hath said it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel, and therefore thou buildest the wall, and hast a mind to set thyself king over them: for which end

⁷Thou hast also set up prophets, to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying: There is a king in Judea. The king will hear of these things: therefore come now, that we may take counsel together.

⁸And I sent to them, saying: There is no such thing done as thou sayest: but thou feignest these things out of thy own heart.

⁹For all these men thought to frighten us, thinking that our hands would cease from the work, and that we would leave off. Wherefore I strengthened my hands the more:

¹⁰And I went into the house of Samaia the son of Delaia, the son of Metabeel privately. And he said: Let us consult together in the house of God in the midst of the temple: and let us shut the doors of the temple, for they will come to kill thee, and in the night they will come to slay thee.

¹¹And I said: Should such a man as I flee? and who is there that being as I am, would go into the temple, to save his life? I will not go in.

¹²And I understood that God had not sent him, but that he had spoken to me as if he had been prophesying, and Tobias, and Sanaballat had hired him.

¹³For he had taken money, that I being afraid should do this thing, and sin, and they might have some evil to upbraid me withal.