So we rebuilt the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height. The people were enthusiastic in their work.

Our adversaries also boasted, “Before they are aware or anticipate anything, we will come in among them and kill them, and we will bring this work to a halt!”

It so happened that when our adversaries heard that we were aware of these matters, God frustrated their intentions. Then all of us returned to the wall, each to his own work.

The builders to a man had their swords strapped to their sides while they were building. But the trumpeter remained with me.

Then I said, “The thing that you are doing is wrong! Should you not conduct yourselves in the fear of our God in order to avoid the reproach of the Gentiles who are our enemies?

They searched for their records in the genealogical materials, but none were found. They were therefore excluded from the priesthood.

Ezra opened the book in plain view of all the people, for he was elevated above all the people. When he opened the book, all the people stood up.

and I returned to Jerusalem. Then I discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah by supplying him with a storeroom in the courts of the temple of God.

I also provided for the wood offering at the appointed times and also for the first fruits. Please remember me for good, O my God.

The Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, bringing death and destruction, and they did as they pleased with their enemies.

and the Sabeans swooped down and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”

Again the day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also arrived among them to present himself before the Lord.

“O that you would hide me in Sheol, and conceal me till your anger has passed! O that you would set me a time and then remember me!

You may say, ‘God stores up a man’s punishment for his children!’ Instead let him repay the man himself so that he may know it!

And the eye of the adulterer watches for the twilight, thinking, ‘No eye can see me,’ and covers his face with a mask.

I chose the way for them and sat as their chief; I lived like a king among his troops; I was like one who comforts mourners.

If there is an angel beside him, one mediator out of a thousand, to tell a person what constitutes his uprightness;

and if God is gracious to him and says, ‘Spare him from going down to the place of corruption, I have found a ransom for him,’

He entreats God, and God delights in him, he sees God’s face with rejoicing, and God restores to him his righteousness.

In a moment they die, in the middle of the night, people are shaken and they pass away. The mighty are removed effortlessly.