¹² I realized that God had not sent him, because of the prophecy he spoke against me. Tobiah and Sanballat^(A) had hired him. ¹³ He was hired, so that I would be intimidated,^(B) do as he suggested, sin, and get a bad reputation, in order that they could discredit me.

² because they did not meet the Israelites with food and water. Instead, they hired Balaam against them to curse them,^(A) but our God turned the curse into a blessing.^(B)