---
title: Joseph Smith Translation (1867 edition)
description: Nehemiah from the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), 1867 edition.
authors:
  - Smith, Joseph, Jr.
collections:
  - joseph-smith
tags:
  - translation
published: "1867"
publisher: RLDS Publication Board
publisher_place: Plano, Illinois
publisher_note: "The title page reads: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Joseph Smith, I. L. Rogers, E. Robinson, Publishing Committee; 1867."
edition: First edition (Plano, 1867)
language: en
type: book
chapter: 6
verse_count: 19
reference: "Joseph Smith Jr., *Joseph Smith Translation*, first edition (Plano, IL: RLDS Publication Board, 1867), Nehemiah, chap. 6, https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft."
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  identifier: holyscripturestr00smituoft
  scan: University of Toronto / Trinity College Library copy, Internet Archive
  transcription: "OCR text of the 1867 scans (Toronto copy and a second copy, holyscriptures00smit), reconciled word by word; Romans was also checked against the page images. Method, per-chapter validation log and known limits: docs/jst-1867-import.md."
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: 1867 US publication
  source: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  publication_year: 1867
---

# Nehemiah 6

*Sanballat seeketh to terrify Nehemiah The work is finished.*

**1** Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates
**2** That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
**3** And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down; why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
**4** Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
**5** Then sent Sanballat his servant "unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
**6** Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel; for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.
**7** And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying. There is a king in Judah; and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
**8** Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.
**9** For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
**10** Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple; for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.
**11** And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is mine enemy, that such a man as" I would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
**12** And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me; for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
**13** Therefore should I be afraid of him he hired, and do so as he said, and sin; and that they might have me for an evil report, that they might reproach me?
**14** My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.
**15** So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.
**16** And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
**17** Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them.
**18** For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son-in-law of Shechaniah the son of Arab.; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.
**19** Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.