^{17 Ref} And further, in those days the chiefs of Judah sent a number of letters to Tobiah, and his letters came to them.

^{18 Ref} For in Judah there were a number of people who had made an agreement by oath with him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah, the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken as his wife the daughter of Meshullam, the son of Berechiah.

^{19 Ref} And they said much before me of the good he had done, and gave him accounts of my words. And Tobiah sent letters with the purpose of causing me fear.