So I sentmessengersto them, saying,"I am doinga greatworkand I cannotcomedown.Whyshould the workstopwhileI leaveit and comedownto you?"
then I stationed[men] in the lowestpartsof the spacebehindthe wall,the exposedplaces,and I stationedthe peoplein familieswith their swords,spearsand bows.
then Sanballatand Geshemsent[a message] to me, saying,"Come,let us meettogetherat Chephirimin the plainof Ono."But they were planningto harmme.
They sent[messages] to me fourtimesin thismanner,and I answeredthem in the sameway.
The naivebelieveseverything,But the sensiblemanconsidershis steps.
Whateveryour handfindsto do,do[it] with [all] your might;for thereis noactivityor planningor knowledgeor wisdomin Sheolwhereyou are going.
"Behold,I sendyou out as sheepin the midstof wolves;sobe shrewdas serpentsand innocentas doves.
saying,'Thismanbeganto buildand was not ableto finish.'
"We mustworkthe worksof Him who sentMe as longas it is day;nightis comingwhenno onecanwork.
