5. Sanballat sent me this same message a fifth time by his aide, who had an open letter in his hand.
6. In it was written:It is reported among the nations — and Geshem agrees — that you and the Jews plan to rebel. This is the reason you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king
7. and have even set up the prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: “There is a king in Judah.” These rumors will be heard by the king. So come, let’s confer together.
8. Then I replied to him, “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.”
9. For they were all trying to intimidate us, saying, “They will become discouraged in the work, and it will never be finished.”But now, my God, strengthen me.
10. I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was restricted to his house. He said:Let us meet at the house of Godinside the temple.Let us shut the temple doorsbecause they are coming to kill you.They are coming to kill you tonight!
11. But I said, “Should a man like me run away? How can I enter the temple and live? I will not go.”
12. I realized that God had not sent him, because of the prophecy he spoke against me. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
13. He was hired, so that I would be intimidated, do as he suggested, sin, and get a bad reputation, in order that they could discredit me.