⁷ “Let us build up these towns,” he said to Judah, “and put walls around them, with towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours, because we have sought the Lord our God; we sought him and he has given us rest^(A) on every side.” So they built and prospered.

⁵ All these cities were fortified with high walls and with gates and bars, and there were also a great many unwalled villages.