15 Then our enemies heard that we knew about their plans. God had ruined their plans. So we all went back to the wall. Each person went back to his own work.
16 From that day on, half my men worked on the wall. The other half was ready with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers stood in back of the people of Judah
17 who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand. They carried a weapon in the other hand.
18 Each builder wore his sword at his side as he worked. The man who blew the trumpet to warn the people stayed next to me.
19 Then I spoke to the important men, the leaders and the rest of the people. I said, “This is a very big job. We are spreading out along the wall. We are far apart.
20 So wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, assemble there. Our God will fight for us.”
21 So we continued to work. Half the men held spears. We worked from sunrise till the stars came out.