So I stationed the people by families behind the wall in the lower exposed areas, equipping them with their swords, spears, and bows.

From that day on, half of my helpers engaged in the work while the other half kept spears, shields, bows, and armor ready. The senior officials backed all of the Judeans

who worked on the wall. Those who carried building materials worked with one hand, carrying a spear in the other.

So we worked hard, half of us holding spears from dawn to dusk.