Nehemiah 4:15-23 - Sword And Trowel

¹⁵ Nevertheless, when our enemies heard that we had gotten word of it, God brought their counsel to nought, and we turned all again to the wall, every one unto his labour. ¹⁶ And from that time forth it came to pass, that the half part of the young men did the labour, and the other half part held spears, shields, bows, and breastplates: and the rulers stood behind all the house of Judah, ¹⁷ which builded on the wall, and bare burdens from those that laded them. With one hand did they the work, and with the other held they their weapon. ¹⁸ And everyone that builded, had his sword gird by his side, and so builded they. And the trumpeters stood beside me. ¹⁹ And I said unto the principal men, and rulers, and to the other people, "The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. ²⁰ Look in what place now ye hear the noise of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us. Our God shall fight for us, ²¹ and we will be laboring in the work." And the half part of them held the spears from the morning spring, till the stars came forth. ²² And at the same time said I unto the people, "Every one abide with his servant at Jerusalem, that in the night season we may give attendance to the watch, and to labour on the daytime." ²³ As for me and my brethren, and my servants, and the men of the watch behind me, we put never off our clothes, so much as to wash ourselves.