en_tn_lite_do_not_use/neh/04/05.md

# Connecting Statement:

Nehemiah contines the prayer he began in verse 4.

# Do ... to anger.

Nehemiah continues the prayer he began with the words "Hear, our God" in verse 4. You may show that this is a prayer by making it a direct quote. "Then I prayed, 'Hear, our God, ... they are prisoners. Do not cover ... the builders to anger.'"

# Do not cover over

This speaks of a forgiving a person's sins as if they were a object that could be physically hidden. Alternate translation: "Do not forgive" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# let their sin not be blotted out from before you

This metaphor speaks of sin as if it were written words and of God forgiving sin as if he were erasing those words. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: "do not forgive their sin" or "I do not want you to forgive their sin" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# let ... not

Nehemiah is expressing a desire. He is not asking God to forbid another person from blotting out the sin.

# they have provoked the builders to anger

"they have made the builders become angry"