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[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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 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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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 Pharoah, 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.
[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.
[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.
[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.
[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.