Nehemiah 2:11-18

Nehemiah 2:11-18

[11] So I came  to Jerusalem,  and was there three  days.  [12] And I arose  in the night,  I and some  with me; neither told  I any man  what my God  had put  in my heart  to do  at Jerusalem:  neither was there any beast  that I rode upon.  [13] And I went out  by night  by the gate  of the valley,  even before  the dragon  well,  and to the dung  port,  and viewed  the walls  of Jerusalem,  which were broken down,  and the gates  thereof were consumed  with fire.  [14] Then I went on  to the gate  of the fountain,  and to the king's  pool:  but there was no place  for the beast  that was under me to pass.  [15] Then went I up  in the night  by the brook,  and viewed  the wall,  and turned back,  and entered  by the gate  of the valley,  and so returned.  [16] And the rulers  knew  not whither I went,  or what I did;  neither had I as yet  told  it to the Jews,  nor to the priests,  nor to the nobles,  nor to the rulers,  nor to the rest  that did  the work.  [17] Then said  I unto them, Ye see  the distress  that we are in, how Jerusalem  and the gates  thereof are burned  with fire:  and let us build up  the wall  of Jerusalem,  that we be no more a reproach.  [18] Then I told  them of the hand  of my God  which was good  upon me; as also the king's  words  that he had spoken  Let us rise up  and build.  So they strengthened  their hands  for this good  work.