KJV ORIGINAL
And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Don't cover up their wrongdoing, and don't let their sin be erased from your sight, because they have made you angry in front of the builders.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
Nehemiah is asking God not to forgive his enemies because they have openly mocked God's work in front of his people.
📚 Historical Context
Nehemiah was leading the effort to rebuild Jerusalem's walls after the Jewish people returned from exile in Babylon. Local enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah were constantly mocking and threatening the builders, trying to stop God's work. This prayer comes after they had publicly ridiculed the Jewish builders and their efforts.
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