¹⁷ The men who were carrying materials held them with one hand. They held a weapon in their other hand. ¹⁸ All of the builders had swords tied on their belts while they were building. There was a man who would make a sound with his trumpet if there was danger. He stayed near me.

¹⁹ I said to the leaders, the officers and all the people, ‘It is hard work and the wall is very long. So we are not working near to each other.