en_tn/neh/06/03.md

I am doing a great work

Nehemiah supervised the rebuilding of the wall. He did not build it by himself. Alternate translation: "We are doing a great work" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)

Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?

This rhetorical question is used to challenge Sanballat's request. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "I cannot let the work stop and come down to you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)

down to you

The word "down" is used here because the plain of Ono where they were requesting Nehemiah to come is at a lower elevation than Jerusalem.