Nehemiah 6:6–13

⁶In it was written, “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem^z also says it—that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall; and according to this report you wish to become their king.^{* 7}You have also set up prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, ‘There is a king in Judah!’ And now it will be reported to the king according to these words. So come, therefore, and let us confer together.” ⁸Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done; you are inventing them out of your own mind,” ⁹for they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, strengthen my hands.

¹⁰One day when I went into the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his house, 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; indeed, tonight they are coming to kill you.”^{* 11}But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Would a man like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!” ¹²Then I perceived and saw that God had not sent him at all, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.^{* 13}He was hired for this purpose, to intimidate me and make me sin by acting in this way, and so they could give me a bad name, in order to taunt me.^*