Nehemiah 6:6–13

⁶In it was written:

It is reported among the nations—and Geshem ^jkagrees—that you and the Jews plan to rebel. This is the reason you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king ⁷and have even set up the prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: “There is a king in Judah.” ^lThese rumors will be heard by the king. So come, let’s confer together.

⁸Then I replied to him, “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.” ^m9For they were all trying to intimidate ⁿus, saying, “They will become discouraged ^oin the work, ^pand it will never be finished.”

But now, my God, strengthen me. ^qr

Attempts to Intimidate Nehemiah

¹⁰I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was restricted to his house. He said:

Let us meet at the house of God

inside the temple.

Let us shut the temple doors

because they are coming to kill you.

They are coming to kill you tonight! ^s

¹¹But I said, “Should a man like me run away? How can I enter the temple and live? ^tI will not go.” ¹²I realized that God had not sent him, because of the prophecy he spoke against me. Tobiah and Sanballat ^uhad hired him. ¹³He was hired, so that I would be intimidated, ^vdo as he suggested, sin, and get a bad reputation, in order that they could discredit me.