Nehemiah 4

And it came to pass, when Sanaballat and Tobia and the Arabs and the Ammanites heard that growth had gone up on the walls of Ierousalem, that the breaches had begun to be stopped up, it appeared exceedingly bad to them.

And they all gathered together to come and array themselves for battle at Ierousalem.

And we prayed to our God, and we set watchmen against them day and night because of them.

And Ioudas said: The strength of the enemies has been broken, and the rubble is much, and we shall not be able to build at the wall.

And those afflicting us said: They shall not know, and they shall not see, until we come into their midst and murder them and make the work cease.

And it came to pass, when the Jews who dwelt near them came and said to us: They are coming up against us from all the places.

And I stationed men at the lowest parts of the place behind the wall, in the sheltered spots; and I stationed the people by families with their swords, their spears and their bows.

And I looked, and I arose and said to the honored ones and to the commanders and to the rest of the people: Do not be afraid before them. Remember our God, the great and the fearful one, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your houses.

And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it had become known to us, and God scattered their counsel, that we all returned to the wall, each man to his own work.

And it came to pass from that day: half of those who had been shaken out did the work, and half of them held on to weapons — spears and shields and bows and breastplates; and the rulers were behind all the house of Iouda.

Of those building on the wall: and those who carried with carrying-poles were in arms; with one hand each did the work itself, and one hand held the missile.

And the builders, each man girded with his sword upon his loins, and so they were building; and the one who sounded the horn was beside him.

And I said to the honored ones and to the rulers and to the rest of the people: The work is broad and great, and we are scattered on the wall, far off, each man from his brother.

In whatever place you hear the sound of the horn, there gather to us; and our God will fight for us.

So we were doing the work, and half of them were holding the spears, from the rising of the dawn until the coming out of the stars.

And at that time I said to the people: Lodge within Ierousalem, and let the night be a watch for you and the day work.

And I was there, I and the men of the guard behind me; and there was not among us a man who stripped off his garments.