1. The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah.
And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year,
as I was in Shushan the palace,
2. That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and
certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that
had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning
Jerusalem.
3. And they said unto me, The remnant that are
left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction
and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the
gates thereof are burned with fire.
4. And it came to pass, when I heard these words,
that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted,
and prayed before the God of heaven,
5. And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven,
the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for
them that love him and observe his commandments:
6. Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes
open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I
pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel
thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel,
which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house
have sinned.
7. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and
have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments,
which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.
8. Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou
commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will
scatter you abroad among the nations:
9. But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments,
and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost
part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will
bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.
10. Now these are thy servants and thy people,
whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong
hand.
11. O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be
attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy
servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee,
thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this
man. For I was the king's cupbearer.
Nehemiah - Chapter 2
1. And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the
twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him:
and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had
not been beforetime sad in his presence.
2. Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy
countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else
but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,
3. And said unto the king, Let the king live for
ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the
place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof
are consumed with fire?
4. Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou
make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
5. And I said unto the king, If it please the king,
and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest
send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that
I may build it.
6. And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting
by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou
return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
7. Moreover I said unto the king, If it please
the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the
river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;
8. And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's
forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates
of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall
of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the
king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
9. Then I came to the governors beyond the river,
and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains
of the army and horsemen with me.
10. When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the
servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly
that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children
of Israel.
11. So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three
days.
12. And I arose in the night, I and some few men
with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart
to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save
the beast that I rode upon.
13. And I went out by night by the gate of the
valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and
viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the
gates thereof were consumed with fire.
14. Then I went on to the gate of the fountain,
and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the beast that
was under me to pass.
15. Then went I up in the night by the brook, and
viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the
valley, and so returned.
16. And the rulers knew not whither I went, or
what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the
priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest
that did the work.
17. Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress
that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof
are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem,
that we be no more a reproach.
18. Then I told them of the hand of my God which
was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken
unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened
their hands for this good work.
19. But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah
the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they
laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing
that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
20. Then answered I them, and said unto them, The
God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will
arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial,
in Jerusalem.
Nehemiah - Chapter 3
1. Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his
brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified
it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they
sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.
2. And next unto him builded the men of Jericho.
And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.
3. But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah
build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof,
the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
4. And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son
of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam
the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them
repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
5. And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but
their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.
6. Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the
son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the
beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof,
and the bars thereof.
7. And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite,
and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, unto
the throne of the governor on this side the river.
8. Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah,
of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son
of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto
the broad wall.
9. And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son
of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
10. And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son
of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired
Hattush the son of Hashabniah.
11. Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the
son of Pahath-moab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of
the furnaces.
12. And next unto him repaired Shallum the son
of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his
daughters.
13. The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants
of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks
thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall
unto the dung gate.
14. But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son
of Rechab, the ruler of part of Beth-haccerem; he built it, and
set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
15. But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun
the son of Col-hozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it,
and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof,
and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the
king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city
of David.
16. After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk,
the ruler of the half part of Beth-zur, unto the place over against
the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto
the house of the mighty.
17. After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son
of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half
part of Keilah, in his part.
18. After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the
son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.
19. And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua,
the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to
the armoury at the turning of the wall.
20. After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly
repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the
door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
21. After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah
the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib
even to the end of the house of Eliashib.
22. And after him repaired the priests, the men
of the plain.
23. After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over
against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah
the son of Ananiah by his house.
24. After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad
another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the turning of the
wall, even unto the corner.
25. Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning
of the wall, and the tower which lieth out from the king's high
house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah
the son of Parosh.
26. Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto
the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the
tower that lieth out.
27. After them the Tekoites repaired another piece,
over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall
of Ophel.
28. From above the horse gate repaired the priests,
every one over against his house.
29. After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer
over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the
son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.
30. After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah,
and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired
Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.
31. After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith's
son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over
against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.
32. And between the going up of the corner unto
the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.
Nehemiah - Chapter 4
1. But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard
that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation,
and mocked the Jews.
2. And he spake before his brethren and the army
of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify
themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a
day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish
which are burned?
3. Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said,
Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break
down their stone wall.
4. Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn
their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in
the land of captivity:
5. And cover not their iniquity, and let not their
sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee
to anger before the builders.
6. So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined
together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
7. But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and
Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites,
heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches
began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,
8. And conspired all of them together to come and
to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
9. Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God,
and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
10. And Judah said, The strength of the bearers
of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are
not able to build the wall.
11. And our adversaries said, They shall not know,
neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them,
and cause the work to cease.
12. And it came to pass, that when the Jews which
dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places
whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.
13. Therefore set I in the lower places behind
the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after
their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
14. And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the
nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not
ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible,
and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your
wives, and your houses.
15. And it came to pass, when our enemies heard
that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to
nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto
his work.
16. And it came to pass from that time forth, that
the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half
of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the
habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
17. They which builded on the wall, and they that
bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his
hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
18. For the builders, every one had his sword girded
by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet
was by me.
19. And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers,
and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and
we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
20. In what place therefore ye hear the sound of
the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for
us.
21. So we laboured in the work: and half of them
held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars
appeared.
22. Likewise at the same time said I unto the people,
Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in
the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day.
23. So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants,
nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off
our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.
Nehemiah - Chapter 5
1. And there was a great cry of the people and
of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
2. For there were that said, We, our sons, and
our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that
we may eat, and live.
3. Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged
our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because
of the dearth.
4. There were also that said, We have borrowed
money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
5. Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren,
our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage
our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters
are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to
redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
6. And I was very angry when I heard their cry
and these words.
7. Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked
the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury,
every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against
them.
8. And I said unto them, We after our ability have
redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen;
and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto
us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
9. Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought
ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach
of the heathen our enemies?
10. I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants,
might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off
this usury.
11. Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day,
their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses,
also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine,
and the oil, that ye exact of them.
12. Then said they, We will restore them, and will
require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I
called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should
do according to this promise.
13. Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake
out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth
not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And
all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the
people did according to this promise.
14. Moreover from the time that I was appointed
to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth
year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king,
that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread
of the governor.
15. But the former governors that had been before
me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread
and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants
bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear
of God.
16. Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall,
neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered
thither unto the work.
17. Moreover there were at my table an hundred
and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto
us from among the heathen that are about us.
18. Now that which was prepared for me daily was
one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me,
and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this
required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage
was heavy upon this people.
19. Think upon me, my God, for good, according
to all that I have done for this people.
Nehemiah - Chapter 6
1. Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah,
and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that
I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein;
(though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)
2. That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying,
Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the
plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
3. And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am
doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the
work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
4. Yet they sent unto me four times after this
sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
5. Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like
manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
6. Wherein was written, It is reported among the
heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to
rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest
be their king, according to these words.
7. And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach
of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now
shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come
now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
8. Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such
things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine
own heart.
9. For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands
shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore,
O God, strengthen my hands.
10. Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah
the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and
he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the
temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will
come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.
11. And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and
who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to
save his life? I will not go in.
12. And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent
him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah
and Sanballat had hired him.
13. Therefore 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.
14. My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat
according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah,
and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.
15. So the wall was finished in the twenty and
fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.
16. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies
heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these
things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived
that this work was wrought of our God.
17. Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah
sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came
unto them.
18. For there were many in Judah sworn unto him,
because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and
his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of
Berechiah.
19. Also they reported his good deeds before me,
and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me
in fear.
Nehemiah - Chapter 7
1. Now it came to pass, when the wall was built,
and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and
the Levites were appointed,
2. That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah
the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful
man, and feared God above many.
3. And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem
be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them
shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants
of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over
against his house.
4. Now the city was large and great: but the people
were few therein, and the houses were not builded.
5. And my God put into mine heart to gather together
the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be
reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy
of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,
6. These are the children of the province, that
went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away,
whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and
came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;
7. Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah,
Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai,
Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of
Israel was this;
8. The children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred
seventy and two.
9. The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy
and two.
10. The children of Arah, six hundred fifty and
two.
11. The children of Pahath-moab, of the children
of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred and eighteen.
12. The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred
fifty and four.
13. The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty
and five.
14. The children of Zaccai, seven hundred
and threescore.
15. The children of Binnui, six hundred forty and
eight.
16. The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty and
eight.
17. The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred
twenty and two.
18. The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore
and seven.
19. The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore
and seven.
20. The children of Adin, six hundred fifty and
five.
21. The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and
eight.
22. The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty
and eight.
23. The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty
and four.
24. The children of Hariph, an hundred and twelve.
25. The children of Gibeon, ninety and five.
26. The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, an hundred
fourscore and eight.
27. The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and
eight.
28. The men of Beth-azmaveth, forty and two.
29. The men of Kirjath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth,
seven hundred forty and three.
30. The men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty
and one.
31. The men of Michmas, an hundred and twenty and
two.
32. The men of Bethel and Ai, an hundred twenty
and three.
33. The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.
34. The children of the other Elam, a thousand
two hundred fifty and four.
35. The children of Harim, three hundred and twenty.
36. The children of Jericho, three hundred forty
and five.
37. The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven
hundred twenty and one.
38. The children of Senaah, three thousand nine
hundred and thirty.
39. The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the
house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three.
40. The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and
two.
41. The children of Pashur, a thousand two hundred
forty and seven.
42. The children of Harim, a thousand and seventeen.
43. The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel,
and of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four.
44. The singers: the children of Asaph, an hundred
forty and eight.
45. The porters: the children of Shallum, the children
of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children
of Hatita, the children of Shobai, an hundred thirty and eight.
46. The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children
of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
47. The children of Keros, the children of Sia,
the children of Padon,
48. The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba,
the children of Shalmai,
49. The children of Hanan, the children of Giddel,
the children of Gahar,
50. The children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin,
the children of Nekoda,
51. The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza,
the children of Phaseah,
52. The children of Besai, the children of Meunim,
the children of Nephishesim,
53. The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha,
the children of Harhur,
54. The children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida,
the children of Harsha,
55. The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera,
the children of Tamah,
56. The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
57. The children of Solomon's servants: the children
of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,
58. The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon,
the children of Giddel,
59. The children of Shephatiah, the children of
Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon.
60. All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's
servants, were three hundred ninety and two.
61. And these were they which went up also from
Telmelah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could
not shew their father's house, nor their seed, whether they were
of Israel.
62. The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah,
the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two.
63. And of the priests: the children of Habaiah,
the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one
of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called
after their name.
64. These sought their register among those that
were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were
they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.
65. And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they
should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a
priest with Urim and Thummim.
66. The whole congregation together was forty and
two thousand three hundred and threescore,
67. Beside their manservants and their maidservants,
of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven:
and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing
women.
68. Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six:
their mules, two hundred forty and five:
69. Their camels, four hundred thirty and five:
six thousand seven hundred and twenty asses.
70. And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto
the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams
of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments.
71. And some of the chief of the fathers gave to
the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two
thousand and two hundred pound of silver.
72. And that which the rest of the people gave
was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver,
and threescore and seven priests' garments.
73. So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters,
and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinims, and
all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month
came, the children of Israel were in their cities.
Nehemiah - Chapter 8
1. And all the people gathered themselves together
as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and
they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of
Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.
2. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the
congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with
understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
3. And he read therein before the street that was
before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the
men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears
of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
4. And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood,
which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah,
and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah,
on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael,
and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.
5. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all
the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened
it, all the people stood up:
6. And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And
all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands:
and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their
faces to the ground.
7. Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin,
Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad,
Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand
the law: and the people stood in their place.
8. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly,
and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
9. And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra
the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people,
said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your
God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they
heard the words of the law.
10. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the
fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom
nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither
be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
11. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying,
Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
12. And all the people went their way to eat, and
to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because
they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
13. And on the second day were gathered together
the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the
Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of
the law.
14. And they found written in the law which the
LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should
dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:
15. And that they should publish and proclaim in
all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the
mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle
branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make
booths, as it is written.
16. So the people went forth, and brought them,
and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house,
and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and
in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate
of Ephraim.
17. And all the congregation of them that were
come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the
booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that
day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very
great gladness.
18. Also day by day, from the first day unto the
last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept
the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly,
according unto the manner.
Nehemiah - Chapter 9
1. Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month
the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes,
and earth upon them.
2. And the seed of Israel separated themselves
from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the
iniquities of their fathers.
3. And they stood up in their place, and read in
the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the
day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the
LORD their God.
4. Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites,
Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani,
and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God.
5. Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani,
Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said,
Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed
be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and
praise.
6. Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made
heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth,
and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein,
and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth
thee.
7. Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose
Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and
gavest him the name of Abraham;
8. And foundest his heart faithful before thee,
and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites,
the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites,
and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast
performed thy words; for thou art righteous:
9. And didst see the affliction of our fathers
in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;
10. And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh,
and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for
thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou
get thee a name, as it is this day.
11. And thou didst divide the sea before them,
so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land;
and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone
into the mighty waters.
12. Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a
cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them
light in the way wherein they should go.
13. Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and
spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments,
and true laws, good statutes and commandments:
14. And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath,
and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand
of Moses thy servant:
15. And gavest them bread from heaven for their
hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for
their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess
the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.
16. But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and
hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,
17. And refused to obey, neither were mindful of
thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks,
and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their
bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
18. Yea, when they had made them a molten calf,
and said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and
had wrought great provocations;
19. Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest
them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not
from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar
of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they
should go.
20. Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct
them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest
them water for their thirst.
21. Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in
the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed
not old, and their feet swelled not.
22. Moreover thou gavest them kingdoms and nations,
and didst divide them into corners: so they possessed the land
of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of
Og king of Bashan.
23. Their children also multipliedst thou as the
stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning
which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go
in to possess it.
24. So the children went in and possessed the land,
and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the
Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings,
and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they
would.
25. And they took strong cities, and a fat land,
and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards,
and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat,
and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy
great goodness.
26. Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled
against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy
prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and
they wrought great provocations.
27. Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand
of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble,
when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and
according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who
saved them out of the hand of their enemies.
28. But after they had rest, they did evil again
before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their
enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they
returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven;
and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;
29. And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest
bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened
not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which
if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder,
and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
30. Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and
testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet would
they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand of
the people of the lands.
31. Nevertheless for thy great mercies' sake thou
didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art
a gracious and merciful God.
32. Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty,
and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not
all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us,
on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets,
and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the
kings of Assyria unto this day.
33. Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought
upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:
34. Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests,
nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments
and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them.
35. For they have not served thee in their kingdom,
and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large
and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they
from their wicked works.
36. Behold, we are servants this day, and for the
land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof
and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it:
37. And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings
whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have
dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure,
and we are in great distress.
38. And because of all this we make a sure covenant,
and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto
it.
Nehemiah - Chapter 10
1. Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha,
the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,
2. Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,
3. Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah,
4. Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,
5. Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,
6. Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,
7. Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,
8. Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: these were the priests.
9. And the Levites: both Jeshua the son of Azaniah,
Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;
10. And their brethren, Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita,
Pelaiah, Hanan,
11. Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah,
12. Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,
13. Hodijah, Bani, Beninu.
14. The chief of the people; Parosh, Pahath-moab,
Elam, Zatthu, Bani,
15. Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,
16. Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,
17. Ater, Hizkijah, Azzur,
18. Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,
19. Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,
20. Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
21. Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,
22. Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,
23. Hoshea, Hananiah, Hashub,
24. Hallohesh, Pileha, Shobek,
25. Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,
26. And Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,
27. Malluch, Harim, Baanah.
28. And the rest of the people, the priests, the
Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they
that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto
the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters,
every one having knowledge, and having understanding;
29. They clave to their brethren, their nobles,
and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law,
which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and
do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments
and his statutes;
30. And that we would not give our daughters unto
the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:
31. And if the people of the land bring ware or
any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy
it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would
leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.
32. Also we made ordinances for us, to charge
ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service
of the house of our God;
33. For the shewbread, and for the continual meat
offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths,
of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things,
and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and
for all the work of the house of our God.
34. And we cast the lots among the priests, the
Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into
the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times
appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our
God, as it is written in the law:
35. And to bring the firstfruits of our ground,
and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto
the house of the LORD:
36. Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our
cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our
herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto
the priests that minister in the house of our God:
37. And that we should bring the firstfruits of
our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees,
of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house
of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that
the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our
tillage.
38. And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with
the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall
bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to
the chambers, into the treasure house.
39. For the children of Israel and the children
of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine,
and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary,
and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers:
and we will not forsake the house of our God.
Nehemiah - Chapter 11
1. And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem:
the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to
dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other
cities.
2. And the people blessed all the men, that willingly
offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
3. Now these are the chief of the province that
dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one
in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests,
and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's
servants.
4. And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children
of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of
Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son
of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the
children of Perez;
5. And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of
Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib,
the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.
6. All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem
were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.
7. And these are the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the
son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son
of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of
Jesaiah.
8. And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred
twenty and eight.
9. And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer:
and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.
10. Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib,
Jachin.
11. Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam,
the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was
the ruler of the house of God.
12. And their brethren that did the work of the
house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of
Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah,
the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah,
13. And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two
hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son
of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
14. And their brethren, mighty men of valour,
an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the
son of one of the great men.
15. Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub,
the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
16. And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of
the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the
house of God.
17. And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of
Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving
in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda
the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
18. All the Levites in the holy city were two
hundred fourscore and four.
19. Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their
brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two.
20. And the residue of Israel, of the priests,
and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in
his inheritance.
21. But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha
and Gispa were over the Nethinims.
22. The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem
was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah,
the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over
the business of the house of God.
23. For it was the king's commandment concerning
them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for
every day.
24. And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the
children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king's hand in
all matters concerning the people.
25. And for the villages, with their fields, some
of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjath-arba, and in the villages
thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel,
and in the villages thereof,
26. And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at
Beth-phelet,
27. And at Hazar-shual, and at Beer-sheba, and
in the villages thereof,
28. And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the
villages thereof,
29. And at En-rimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth,
30. Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at
Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages
thereof. And they dwelt from Beer-sheba unto the valley of Hinnom.
31. The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt
at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages,
32. And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
33. Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
34. Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
35. Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.
36. And of the Levites were divisions in Judah,
and in Benjamin.
Nehemiah - Chapter 12
1. Now these are the priests and the Levites that
went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah,
Jeremiah, Ezra,
2. Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,
3. Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,
4. Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah,
5. Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,
6. Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jediah,
7. Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were
the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of
Jeshua.
8. Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel,
Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving,
he and his brethren.
9. Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were
over against them in the watches.
10. And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat
Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada,
11. And Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat
Jaddua.
12. And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the
chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;
13. Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;
14. Of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;
15. Of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai;
16. Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;
17. Of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah,
Piltai;
18. Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;
19. And of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi;
20. Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;
21. Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel.
22. The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada,
and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded chief of the fathers: also
the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian.
23. The sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers,
were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days
of Johanan the son of Eliashib.
24. And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah,
and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against
them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment
of David the man of God, ward over against ward.
25. Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam,
Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds
of the gates.
26. These were in the days of Joiakim the son
of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the
governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.
27. And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem
they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them
to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with
thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and
with harps.
28. And the sons of the singers gathered themselves
together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem,
and from the villages of Netophathi;
29. Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of
the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them
villages round about Jerusalem.
30. And the priests and the Levites purified themselves,
and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.
31. Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon
the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave
thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward
the dung gate:
32. And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of
the princes of Judah,
33. And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam,
34. Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,
35. And certain of the priests' sons with trumpets;
namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the
son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the
son of Asaph:
36. And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai,
Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical
instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before
them.
37. And at the fountain gate, which was over against
them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the
going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the
water gate eastward.
38. And the other company of them that gave thanks
went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the
people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even
unto the broad wall;
39. And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above
the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel,
and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood
still in the prison gate.
40. So stood the two companies of them that gave
thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers
with me:
41. And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin,
Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;
42. And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and
Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the
singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer.
43. Also that day they offered great sacrifices,
and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the
wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem
was heard even afar off.
44. And at that time were some appointed over
the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits,
and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the
cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for
Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.
45. And both the singers and the porters kept
the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according
to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.
46. For in the days of David and Asaph of old
there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving
unto God.
47. And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel,
and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers
and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy
things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto
the children of Aaron.
Nehemiah - Chapter 13
1. On that day they read in the book of Moses
in the audience of the people; and therein was found written,
that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation
of God for ever;
2. Because they met not the children of Israel
with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that
he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a
blessing.
3. Now it came to pass, when they had heard the
law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
4. And before this, Eliashib the priest, having
the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied
unto Tobiah:
5. And he had prepared for him a great chamber,
where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense,
and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and
the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the
singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
6. But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem:
for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon
came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave
of the king:
7. And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of
the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber
in the courts of the house of God.
8. And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth
all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.
9. Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers:
and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with
the meat offering and the frankincense.
10. And I perceived that the portions of the Levites
had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that
did the work, were fled every one to his field.
11. Then contended I with the rulers, and said,
Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together,
and set them in their place.
12. Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn
and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
13. And I made treasurers over the treasuries,
Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites,
Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son
of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office
was to distribute unto their brethren.
14. Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and
wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my
God, and for the offices thereof.
15. In those days saw I in Judah some treading
wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading
asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens,
which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified
against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
16. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which
brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath
unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
17. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah,
and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane
the sabbath day?
18. Did not your fathers thus, and did not our
God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring
more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.
19. And it came to pass, that when the gates of
Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that
the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be
opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at
the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath
day.
20. So the merchants and sellers of all kind of
ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
21. Then I testified against them, and said unto
them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will
lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the
sabbath.
22. And I commanded the Levites that they should
cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates,
to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning
this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
23. In those days also saw I Jews that had married
wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:
24. And their children spake half in the speech
of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according
to the language of each people.
25. And I contended with them, and cursed them,
and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made
them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto
their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.
26. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these
things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who
was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel:
nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.
27. Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this
great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange
wives?
28. And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of
Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite:
therefore I chased him from me.
29. Remember them, O my God, because they have
defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and
of the Levites.
30. Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and
appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one
in his business;
31. And for the wood offering, at times appointed,
and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.