Charles Ellicott Commentary Nehemiah 6:13

"For this cause was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me." — Nehemiah 6:13 (ASV)

An evil report. —Nehemiah perceived that not God, but Shemaiah himself, had uttered the prophecy “against me,” and that he was hired to bring the governor into discredit as a violator of law.