Let Us Rise Up and Build

16But the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, and until then I had not told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or the rest who were doing the work.

17Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we may no longer be a reproach.”

18So I told them that the hand of my God was good upon me, and also the words of the king that he had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.