8 So all of them plotted together to come fight against Jerusalem and to make trouble for it.
9 So we prayed to our God and set up a guard against them day and night.
10 But Judah said, “The strength of the carriers is failing, and there is too much dirt, and we are not able to build at the wall.”
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.”