⁶In it was written, “It has been reported among the nations, and Gashmu also is saying it, that you and the Jews are considering rebellion. Therefore, truly you are building the wall and you are becoming their king, according to these words. ⁷You have also set up prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, saying, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now it will be proclaimed to the king according to these words. Now, come and we will plan together.” ⁸So I sent to him saying, “None of these words you have spoken has happened. You are indeed saying things created in your own mind”— ⁹for all of them sought to frighten us, saying, “their hands will not do the work.” And now, God, strengthen my hands.

¹⁰Now I went into the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined at home, and he said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple; for they are coming to kill you—during the night they are coming to kill you.” ¹¹But I said, “Should a man like me run away? And would a man like me go into the temple so that he can save his life? I will not go in!” ¹²Then I looked and realized God had not sent him; rather, he had spoken the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. ¹³For this reason he was hired: to frighten me so that I would act and sin, so that they would have a bad report so they could taunt me.

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