How did Nehemiah reply when his enemies kept inviting him to a meeting?

Answer: "I am doing a great work"

Knowing they meant harm, Nehemiah answered, "I am doing a great work and cannot come down," giving the same reply four times.

“So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?””— Nehemiah 6:3 (BSB)