Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

In the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes' reign, I was invited to a banquet where wine was flowing. Although I had never shown sadness in the king's presence before this occasion, my heart was heavy with sorrow.

The king noticed my somber expression and asked me why I seemed troubled, even though he knew I wasn't ill. He wanted to know what was causing my distress. I trembled with fear as I realized that the king had sensed something was amiss.

I began to explain that my ancestors' tombs were in Jerusalem, a city that lay in ruins, its gates burned to ashes. The thought of it weighed heavily on my heart. I implored the king to understand why I felt this way and asked for permission to visit Judah, specifically Jerusalem, to rebuild the city.

The king inquired about the duration of my journey and when I would return. After some discussion, he agreed to send me to Jerusalem with a specified time frame. He also provided me with letters to be given to the governors beyond the river, which included Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest.

Upon arriving at the governors' residences, I presented them with the king's letters, accompanied by army captains and horsemen. However, my presence was met with disdain by Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant, who were disheartened that someone had come to advocate for the well-being of the Israelites.

I traveled to Jerusalem and spent three days there without revealing my true intentions or sharing what God had instructed me to do. Only a few men knew about our nocturnal journey. We rode out through the valley gate, past the dragon well and dung port, to inspect the city walls, which were broken and had gates consumed by fire.

We made our way to the fountain gate and king's pool but found no passage for my animal to pass through. I decided to ride up along the brook, inspecting the wall, then turned back and entered through the valley gate before returning.

I kept my mission a secret from the Jews, priests, nobles, rulers, and laborers working on the project. Only after sharing with them what God had put in my heart did they begin to understand our desperate situation – Jerusalem lay in ruins, its gates burned to ashes. I encouraged everyone to join me in rebuilding the wall so we would no longer be a reproach.

I explained that God's hand was upon me and shared the king's words of encouragement. The people responded with enthusiasm: "Let us rise up and build!" They strengthened their resolve for this noble work.

Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem soon discovered our plan to rebuild Jerusalem's wall and ridiculed us, accusing us of rebelling against the king. But I stood firm in my faith, knowing that God would prosper us. We declared, "The God of heaven will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build!" Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, however, had no claim or right to Jerusalem.