When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites, they were greatly displeased.

I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Serpent’s Well and the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire.

Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-moab made repairs to another section, as well as to the Tower of the Ovens.

Even I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending them money and grain. Please, let us stop charging this interest.

The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking food and wine from them, as well as a pound of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but I didn’t do this, because of the fear of God.

There were 150 Jews and officials, as well as guests from the surrounding nations at my table.

not including their 7,337 male and female slaves, as well as their 245 male and female singers.

They captured fortified cities and fertile land
and took possession of well-supplied houses,
cisterns cut out of rock, vineyards,
olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance.
They ate, were filled,
became prosperous, and delighted in Your great goodness.

The two thanksgiving processions stood in the house of God. So did I and half of the officials accompanying me,

Remember them, my God, for defiling the priesthood as well as the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.