9. For they all would have made us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened from the work, that it not be done.” But now, strengthen my hands.
10. I went to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home; and he said, “Let us meet together in God’s house, within the temple, and let’s shut the doors of the temple; for they will come to kill you. Yes, in the night they will come to kill you.”
11. I said, “Should a man like me flee? Who is there that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.”
12. I discerned, and behold, God had not sent him; but he pronounced this prophecy against me. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
13. He hired so that I would be afraid, do so, and sin, and that they might have material for an evil report, that they might reproach me.