6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.
6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
6 We kept at it, repairing and rebuilding the wall. The whole wall was soon joined together and halfway to its intended height because the people had a heart for the work.
6 So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
6 At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:6
Commentary on Nehemiah 4:1-6
(Read Nehemiah 4:1-6)
Many a good work has been looked upon with contempt by proud and haughty scorners. Those who disagree in almost every thing, will unite in persecution. Nehemiah did not answer these fools according to their folly, but looked up to God by prayer. God's people have often been a despised people, but he hears all the slights that are put upon them, and it is their comfort that he does so. Nehemiah had reason to think that the hearts of those sinners were desperately hardened, else he would not have prayed that their sins might never be blotted out. Good work goes on well, when people have a mind to it. The reproaches of enemies should quicken us to our duty, not drive us from it.