In it was written,"It is reportedamong the nations,and Gashmusays,that you and the Jewsare planningto rebel;thereforeyou are rebuildingthe wall.And you are to be their king,according to thesereports.
let it be knownto the kingthat the Jewswhocameup from you have cometo us at Jerusalem;they are rebuildingthe rebelliousand evilcityand are finishingthe wallsand repairingthe foundations.
sothat a searchmay be madein the recordbooksof your fathers.And you will discoverin the recordbooksand learnthat that cityis a rebelliouscityand damagingto kingsand provinces,and that they have incitedrevoltwithinit in pastdays;thereforethat citywas laidwaste.
But when Sanballatthe Horoniteand Tobiahthe Ammoniteofficial,and Geshemthe Arabheard[it], they mockedus and despisedus and said,"Whatis thisthingyou are doing?Are you rebellingagainstthe king?"
He was hiredfor thisreason,that I might becomefrightenedand actaccordinglyand sin,so that they might havean evilreportin orderthat they could reproachme.
Then Sanballatsenthis servantto me in the samemannera fifthtimewith an openletterin his hand.
"You have alsoappointedprophetsto proclaimin Jerusalemconcerningyou, 'A kingis in Judah!'And nowit will be reportedto the kingaccording to thesereports.So comenow,let us takecounseltogether."
For I have heardthe whisperingof many,"Terroron everyside!Denounce[him]; yes, let us denouncehim!" Allmy trustedfriends,Watchingfor my fall,say: "Perhapshe will be deceived,so that we may prevailagainst him And takeour revengeon him."
"Blessedare you when[people] insultyou and persecuteyou, and falselysayall kindsof evilagainstyou becauseof Me.
And they beganto accuseHim, saying,"We foundthis manmisleadingour nationand forbiddingto paytaxesto Caesar,and sayingthat He Himselfis Christ,a King."
Thereforewhen Pilateheardthesewords,he broughtJesusout, and sat downon the judgment seatat a placecalledThe Pavement,but in Hebrew,Gabbatha.
And why not [say] (as we are slanderously reportedand as someclaimthat we say),"Let us doevilthat goodmay come"? Their condemnationis just.
by gloryand dishonor,by evil reportand good report;[regarded] as deceiversand yet true;
and keepa goodconsciencesothat in the thing in whichyou are slandered,thosewho revileyour goodbehaviorin Christwill be put to shame.
