And let the elders of that city which is next unto the slain man, take a heifer that is not laboured with nor hath drawn in the yoke,

he met thee by the way and smote the hindmost of you, all that were over laboured and dragged behind, when thou wast fainted and weary, and he feared not God.

And they came and besieged him in Abel-Bethmaacah. And they cast up a bank against the city, and it was besieged: All the people that was with Joab laboured busily to overthrow the wall.

And the rulers knew not whither I went or what I did: for hitherto had I not told the Jews and the priests, the councilors and the rulers, and the others that laboured in the work.

I laboured also in the work upon the wall, and bought no land. And all my servants came thither together unto the work.

Even so have I laboured whole months long - but in vain - and many a careful night have I told.

If I be then a wicked doer, why have I laboured in vain?

The LORD hath sworn by his righthand and by his strong arm, that he will not give thy corn any more to be eaten of thine enemies: and that aliens shall not drink thy new wine wherefore thou hast laboured.

So the LORD waked up the spirit of Zerubbabel the prince of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jozadak the high priest, and the spirit of the remnant of all the people: that they came and laboured, in the house of the LORD of Hosts their God.