14. Then I moved on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, where there was not enough room for my animal to pass with me;
15. so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and returned to the Valley Gate.
16. The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, but as yet I had not told the Jews, the kohanim, the nobles, the officials or the rest of the workers.
17. Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in: Jerusalem is desolate and its gates have been burnt. Come! Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a disgrace.”