1 When it had been reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and our other enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and that there was no breach left in it (though up to that time I had not yet set up the doors in the gates),
2 Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: "Come, let us hold council together at Caphirim in the plain of Ono." They were planning to do me harm.
3 However, I sent messengers to them with this reply: "I am engaged in a great enterprise and am unable to come down; why should the work stop, while I leave it to come down to you?"
4 Four times they sent me this same proposal, and each time I gave the same reply.
5 Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent me the same message by one of his servants, who bore an unsealed letter
6 containing this text: "Among the nations it has been reported--Geshem is witness to this--that you and the Jews are planning a rebellion; that for this reason you are rebuilding the wall; and that you are to be their king"--and so on.
7 "Also, that you have set up prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim you king of Judah. Now, since matters like these must reach the ear of the king, come, let us hold council together."
8 I sent him this answer: "Nothing of what you report has taken place; rather, it is the invention of your own mind."
9 They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will slacken in the work, and it will never be completed." But instead, I now redoubled my efforts.
10 I went to the house of Shemaiah, son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was unable to go about, and he said: "Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple building; let us lock the doors of the temple. For men are coming to kill you; by night they are coming to kill you."
11 My answer was: "A man like me take flight? Can a man like me enter the temple to save his life? I will not go!"
12 For on consideration it was plain to me that God had not sent him; rather, because Tobiah and Sanballat had bribed him, he voiced this prophecy concerning me
13 that I might act on it out of fear and commit this sin. Then they would have had a shameful story with which to discredit me.
14 Keep in mind Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of these things they did; keep in mind as well Noadiah the prophetess and the other prophets who were trying to frighten me.
15 The wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul; it had taken fifty-two days.
16 When all our enemies had heard of this, and all the nations round about had taken note of it, our enemies lost much face in the eyes of the nations, for they knew that it was with our God's help that this work had been completed.
17 At that same time, however, many letters were going to Tobiah from the nobles of Judah, and Tobiah's letters were reaching them,
18 for many in Judah were in league with him, since he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah, son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam, son of Berechiah.
19 Thus they would praise his good deeds in my presence and relate to him whatever I said; and Tobiah sent letters trying to frighten me.
Versículos relacionados com Nehemiah, 6:
Nehemiah 6 reports the attempt of Nehemiah's enemies to distract him and prevent him from completing the reconstruction of the walls of Jerusalem. They send a fake message to Nehemiah and even hire a prophet to deceive him. However, Nehemiah remains firm in his determination and concludes the work.
Proverbs 24:10: "If you show you weak on the day of anguish, your strength is small." This verse talks about the importance of being strong and not giving up during difficult times. Nehemiah shows this strength by not being fooled by enemies.
Ephesians 6:13: "Therefore, take all the armor of God, that you may resist in the evil day and, after having overcome everything, remain unabalable." This verse talks about the importance of being prepared to face the challenges. Nehemiah was also prepared, having placed guards to protect the walls.
2 Timothy 4:7: "I fought the good fight, I completed the race, kept the faith." Paul states that he completed the work God called him to do. Nehemiah also completed the work that God called him to do, despite the attempts of his enemies from preventing him.
James 1:2-4: "My brothers, tend for all the joy of passing through various trials, knowing that the approval of your faith produces perseverance; and perseverance has your perfect work, so that you may be perfect and complete, Not missing anything. " This verse talks about the importance of going through difficulties and persevering. Nehemiah shows perseverance in concluding the reconstruction of the walls despite the adversities.
Colossians 3:23-24: "And whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that you will receive the reward of inheritance; serve the Lord Christ." This verse talks about the importance of doing work as it was for God. Nehemiah worked tirelessly, knowing that he was fulfilling God's will.
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