9 For all of them were trying to frighten us, 1thinking, “2They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, aO God, strengthen my hands.

10 When I entered the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, awho was 1confined at home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you, and they are coming to kill you at night.”

11 But I said, “aShould a man like me flee? And could one such as I go into the temple 1to save his life? I will not go in.”

12 Then I perceived 1that surely God had not sent him, but he uttered his prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

13 He was hired for this reason, athat I might become frightened and act accordingly and sin, so that they might have an evil report in order that they could reproach me.

14 aRemember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these works of theirs, and also Noadiah bthe prophetess and the rest of the prophets who were trying to frighten me.