So we continued to work on the wall of Jerusalem, and half the men held spears. We worked from the first light of the morning till the stars came out at night.
At that time I also said this to the people: “Every builder and his helper must stay inside Jerusalem at night. Then they can be guards at night and workers during the day.”
But, because of God’s grace (gift), that is what I am. And his grace that he gave me was not wasted. I worked harder than all the other apostles. (But I was not really the one working. It was God’s grace that was with me.)
So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Don’t let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.