Nehemiah 2:18

God's presence Guidance and decisions Hope Courage and strength

¹⁶ And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.

¹⁷ Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.

Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.

¹⁹ But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?

²⁰ Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me, and what the king had said to me. “Let us start rebuilding,” they replied, and they set their hands to this good work.
KJV: Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
WEB: I told them about the hand of my God which was good on me, and also about the king’s words that he had spoken to me. They said, “Let’s rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.
ASV: And I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me, as also of the king`s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for the good [work].
DARBY: And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me; as also of the king's words which he had said unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. And they strengthened their hands for the good [work].
BLB: And I told them of the hand of my God that was good upon me, and also of the words of the king that he had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” And they strengthened their hands for good.

ÅB: Og jeg fortalte dem hvordan min Gud hadde holdt sin gode hånd over meg, og likeså hva kongen hadde sagt til meg. Da sa de: Vi vil gjøre oss rede og bygge. Og de tok kraftig fatt på det gode verk.
OTB: Jeg fortalte dem også om min Guds nådige hånd over meg og hva kongen hadde sagt til meg. De svarte: “La oss reise oss og bygge.” Så satte de sine hender til dette gode arbeidet.
B1930: Og jeg fortalte dem hvorledes min Gud hadde holdt sin gode hånd over mig, og likeså hvad kongen hadde sagt til mig. Da sa de: Vi vil gjøre oss rede og bygge. Og de tok kraftig fatt på det gode verk.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Philippians 2:13
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
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1 Chronicles 19:13
Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.
Read in context
2 Chronicles 32:5
Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.
Read in context
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Read in context
Haggai 1:13–14
Then spake Haggai the LORD’s messenger in the LORD’s message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD.
Read in context
2 Samuel 2:7
Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
Read in context
Ezra 6:22
And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
Read in context
1 Chronicles 11:10
These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, and with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.
Read in context