11. Also our enemies said, “Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.”
12. Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”
13. Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows.
14. After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
15. When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work.
16. From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah