Nehemia 6:9

6:9 All of them were wanting ¹  to scare us, supposing, “Their hands will grow slack from the work, and it won’t get done.”

So now, strengthen my hands! ² 

Nehemia 13:1

Further Reforms by Nehemiah

13:1 On that day the book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing ³  of the people. They found ⁴  written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite may ever enter the assembly of God,

[6:9]  ¹ tn The participle has a desiderative nuance here, describing the desire of the subject and not necessarily the actual outcome. See also v. 14.

[6:9]  ² tn The statement “So now, strengthen my hands” is frequently understood as an implied prayer, but is taken differently by NAB (“But instead, I now redoubled my efforts”).

[13:1]  ³ tn Heb “ears.”

[13:1]  ⁴ tn Heb “it was found.” The Hebrew verb is passive.