Nehemiah 7:2-4

Evangelical Heritage Version

² I placed my brother Hanani along with Hananiah, the commander of the citadel, in charge of Jerusalem, because he was a trustworthy man and feared God more than many. ³ I^[a] said to them, “The gates of Jerusalem should not be left open until the heat of the day, but while the guards are still on duty, they are to shut the doors and secure them. Appoint guards from the residents of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their houses.”

Repopulating the City

⁴ Now the city was wide open and spacious, but there were few people in it, and no houses were being built.