Translations
Modern
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?”
Traditional
And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
Literal
And I sent to them messengers, saying, “I am doing a great work, and I am not able to come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”
Latin
Misi ergo ad eos nuntios, dicens: Opus grande ego facio, et non possum descendere, ne forte negligatur cum venero, et descendero ad vos.
Original
Hebrew
English
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?”
Notes
After solving the financial crisis (see Nehemiah 5), the story shifts back to how those against rebuilding tried to scare or stop Nehemiah.
Theme notes and profiles
Nehemiah Dealing with Conflict Jerusalem Rebuilding of Jerusalem
Glossary
Arabia, Arabs Book of Nehemiah Geshem Kedar Nehemiah (Person) Sanballat Tobiah
Topics
Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Examples of Avoiding: Nehemiah Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: The Wicked Tempt Saints To Fellowship: Those Who Avoided Fellowship with the Wicked: Nehemiah Geshem: Opposed Nehemiah in Building Jerusalem Liberality: Jews After the Captivity Tobiah: An Enemy of the Jews in the Time of Nehemiah: Conspires to Injure and Intimidate Nehemiah