⁴ They gathered a large group of people who blocked all the springs^(A) and the stream that flowed through the land. “Why should the kings^[a] of Assyria come and find plenty of water?” they said. ⁵ Then he worked hard repairing all the broken sections of the wall^(B) and building towers on it. He built another wall outside that one and reinforced the terraces^[b](C) of the City of David. He also made large numbers of weapons^(D) and shields.

⁶ He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: