I gave myself to the work on this wall, without even purchasing a field. All my associates were gathered there for the work.

So I sent messengers to them saying, "I am engaged in an important work, and I am unable to come down. Why should the work come to a halt when I leave it to come down to you?"

The men of Tekoa worked on the section adjacent to them, but their town leaders would not assist with the work of their master.