11 Then our enemies said, “They will not know nor see until we come upon them and will kill them and stop the work.”
12 When the Jews who lived beside them came, they said to us ten times, “From all of the places where they live, they will come up against us.”
13 I stationed the people behind the deepest part of the wall in the open places according to their families, with their swords, spears, and bows.
14 And I looked, got up, and said to the nobles, prefects, and the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”
15 It happened when our enemies heard that their plan was known to us, that God had frustrated it, and we all returned to the wall—each to his work.
16 From that day, half of my servants were working on craftsmanship, half were holding spears, small shields, bows, and breastplates. The commanders were behind the whole house of Judah.
17 The ones who were building the wall and the ones who carried the materials were carrying in one hand while doing the task, and with the other hand were grasping a weapon.