7. I stationed guards down below, behind the wall, near the exposed points, assigning them by family groups with their swords, spears, and bows.
8. I made an inspection, then addressed these words to the nobles, the magistrates, and the rest of the people: “Do not fear them! Keep in mind the Lord, who is great and to be feared, and fight for your kindred, your sons and daughters, your wives and your homes.”
9. When our enemies realized that we had been warned and that God had upset their plan, we all went back, each to our own task at the wall.
10. From that time on, however, only half my work force took a hand in the work, while the other half, armed with spears, bucklers, bows, and breastplates, stood guard behind the whole house of Judah
11. as they rebuilt the wall. The load carriers, too, were armed; each worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.
12. Every builder, while working, had a sword tied at his side. A trumpeter stood beside me,
13. for I had said to the nobles, the magistrates, and the rest of the people: “Our work is scattered and extensive, and we are widely separated from one another along the wall;
14. wherever you hear the trumpet sound, join us there; our God will fight with us.”
15. Thus we went on with the work, half with spears in hand, from daybreak till the stars came out.
16. At the same time I told the people to spend the nights inside Jerusalem, each with an attendant, so that they might serve as a guard by night and a working force by day.
17. Neither I, nor my kindred, nor any of my attendants, nor any of the bodyguard that accompanied me took off our clothes; everyone kept a weapon at hand.