Then I said, &#8220;Please, O <sc>LORDsc> God of heaven, great and awesome God, who keeps his loving covenant<n id="1" /> with those who love him and obey<n id="2" /> his commandments,

<p class="bodytext">I replied to the king, &#8220;O king, live forever! Why would I not appear dejected when the city with the graves of my ancestors<n id="1" /> lies desolate and its gates destroyed<n id="2" /> by fire?&#8221;

<p class="bodytext">These are the ones who came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer (although they were unable to certify<n id="1" /> their family connection<n id="2" /> or their ancestry,<n id="3" /> as to whether they were really from Israel):p>

and said to the king, &#8220;If the king is so inclined<n id="1" /> and if your servant has found favor in your sight, dispatch me to Judah, to the city with the graves of my ancestors, so that I can rebuild it.&#8221;

When I had made an inspection,<n id="1" /> I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, &#8220;Don&#8217;t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awesome Lord,<n id="2" /> and fight on behalf of your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your families!&#8221;<n id="3" />p>

<p class="bodytext">I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, &#8220;The work is demanding<n id="1" /> and extensive, and we are spread out on the wall, far removed from one another.

I<n id="1" /> said to them, &#8220;The gates of Jerusalem must not be opened in the early morning,<n id="2" /> until those who are standing guard close the doors and lock them.<n id="3" /> Position residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their guard stations and some near their homes.&#8221;