Nehemiah
1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the 20th year, as I was in Shushan the palace,1:2 that Hanani, one of my kinsmen came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped that were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.1:3 And they said to 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 its gates are burned with fire.1:4 And it came to pass when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned a number of days and fasted, and prayed before the Elohim of the cosmos.1:5 And said, I ask you O YHWH Elohim of the cosmos, the great and terrible Elohim, that guards Covenant and goodness for them that love him and observe his commandments:1:6 Let your ear now be attentive and your eyes open, that you may hear the prayer of your slave that I pray before you now, day and night, for the children of Israel your slaves, and confess the sins of the children of Israel that we have sinned against you: both I and my father's house have sinned.1:7 We have dealt very corruptly against you, and have not observed the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, that you commanded your slave Moses.1:8 Remember, I ask you, the Word that you commanded your slave Moses saying, If you transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:1:9 And you have turned back to me, and observe my commands, and done them - if your outcast is in the end of the cosmos, there I gather them, and have brought them in unto the place that I have chosen to cause my Name to tabernacle there.1:10 Now these are your slaves and your people, whom you have ransomed by your great power, and by your strong hand.1:11 O Adonai I ask you, let now your ear be attentive to the prayer of your slave, and to the prayer of your servants, who desire to fear your Name: and prosper, I pray you, your slave this day, and grant him compassion in the sight of this man. Because I was the king's cup-bearer.
2:1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the 20th year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence before.2:2 Therefore the king said to me, why is your appearance sad, seeing you are not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart, and I fear very much.2:3 And I replied to the king, let the king live for the ages: why should not my appearance be sad, when the city, the place of my forefathers' tombs, lies waste, and its gates are consumed with fire? 2:4 Then the king said to me, for what do you make request? So I prayed to the Elohim of the cosmos.2:5 And I said to the king, if it pleases the king and if your slave has found favor in your sight, that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my forefathers' tombs so that I may rebuild it.2:6 And the king replied to me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long will your journey be? and when will you return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.2:7 And I say to the king, if to the king it is good, let letters be given to me for the governors beyond the River, that they let me pass over until I come to Judah:2:8 And a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace that appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I will enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my Elohim upon me.2:9 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.2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the slave, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.2:11 So I came to Jerusalem and was there 3 days.2:12 And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my Elohim had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any animal with me, save the animal that I rode on.2:13 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 that were broken down, and the gates were consumed with fire.2:14 Then I went on to the gate of the fountain and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the animal that was under me to pass.2:15 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.2:16 And the rulers knew not where 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.2:17 Then I said to them, you see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and the gates are burned with fire: come, and let us rebuild up the wall of Jerusalem so that we are no more a scorn.2:18 Then I told them of the hand of my Elohim that was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken to me. And they said, let us get up and rebuild. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the slave, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn and despised us, and said, what is this thing that you do? will you rebel against the king?2:20 Then I answered them and said to them, the Elohim of the cosmos, he will prosper us; therefore we his slaves will arise and rebuild: but you have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
3:1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his kinsmen the priests, and they rebuilt the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it, and set up the doors of it; even to the tower of Meah they consecrated it, unto the tower of Hananeel.3:2 And next to him the men of Jericho rebuilt. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri rebuilt.3:3 But the Fish Gate did the sons of Hassenaah rebuild, who also laid the beams of it, and set up its doors, the locks and its bars.3:4 And next to them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next to them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next to them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.3:5 And next to them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their master.3:6 Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid its beams, and set up its doors, locks and bars.3:7 And next to them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, to the throne of the governor on this side the river.3:8 Next to him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next to him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the perfumers, and they fortified Jerusalem to its broad wall.3:9 And next to them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.3:10 And next to them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even opposite his house. And next to him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.3:11 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.3:12 And next to him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.3:13 The Valley Gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they rebuilt it, and set up its doors, locks and bars, and 1000 cubits [1,500 feet] on the wall to the dung gate.3:14 But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he rebuilt it, and set up its doors, locks and bars.3:15 But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he rebuilt it and covered it, and set up its doors, locks and bars, and the wall of the Pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and to the stairs that go down from the city of David.3:16 After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur, to the place opposite the tombs of David, and to the pool that was made, and to the house of the mighty.3:17 After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next to him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.3:18 After him repaired their kinsmen, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.3:19 And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece opposite the going up to the armory at the turning of the wall.3:20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.3:21 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.3:22 And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.3:23 After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub opposite their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house.3:24 After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece, from the house of Azariah to the turning of the wall, even to the corner.3:25 Palal the son of Uzai, opposite the turning of the wall, and the tower which lies out from the king's high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh.3:26 Moreover the Nethinims lived in Ophel, to the place opposite the Water Gate toward the East, and the tower that goes out.3:27 After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, opposite the Great Tower that goes out, even to the wall of Ophel.3:28 From above the Horse Gate repaired the priests, everyone opposite his house.3:29 After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer opposite his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the East Gate.3:30 After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the 6th son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah opposite his chamber.3:31 After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith's son to the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, opposite the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.3:32 And between the going up of the corner to the Sheep Gate repaired the goldsmiths and the traders.
4:1 But it came to pass that when Sanballat heard that we rebuilt the wall, he was angry, and took great indignation and mocked the Jews.4:2 And he spoke before his kinsmen and the army of Samaria and said, what are these feeble Jews doing? 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 that are burned?4:3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him and he said, even what they rebuild, if a fox goes up, he will even break down their stone wall.4:4 Hear, O our Elohim; for we are despised: and turn their scorn upon their own heads and give them for booty in the land of captivity:4:5 And cover not their depravity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before you: because they have provoked you to anger before the builders.4:6 So we rebuilt the wall; and all the wall was joined together to the half of it: because the people had a mind to work.4:7 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 erected, and that its breaches began to be stopped, then they were very angry,4:8 And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.4:9 Nevertheless we made our prayer to our Elohim, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.4:10 And Judah said, the power of the burden-bearers has become feeble, and the rubbish is abundant, and we are not able to rebuild on the wall.4:11 And our adversaries said, they will not know, neither see, until we come in the middle among them and kill them, and cause the work to cease.4:12 And it came to pass, that when the Jews that lived by them came, they said unto us 10 times, from all places where you will return to us they will be upon you.4:13 Therefore I set 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.4:14 And I looked and rose up, and said to the nobles and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, be not afraid of them. Remember Adonai that is great and terrible, and fight for your kinsmen, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.4:15 And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known to us and Elohim had brought their counsel to nothing, that we returned all of us to the wall, everyone to his work.4:16 And it came to pass from that time forth that the half of my servants labored in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the javelins; and the rulers were behind all the House of Judah.4:17 They that rebuilt on the wall, and they that carried burdens, with those that loaded, everyone with one of his hands labored in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.4:18 Because the rebuilders, everyone had his sword girded by his side, and so rebuilt. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.4:19 And I said to the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated on the wall, one far from another.4:20 In what place therefore you hear the sound of the trumpet, gather here to us: our Elohim will fight for us.4:21 So we labored in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning until the stars appeared.4:22 Likewise at the same time I said to the people, let everyone with his slave lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labor on the day.4:23 So neither I, nor my kinsmen, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard that followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that everyone put them off for washing.
5:1 And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their kinsmen the Jews.5:2 For there were some that said, we, our sons and our daughters are many: therefore we take up corn for them so that we may eat and live.5:3 Some also there were that said, we have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses so that we might buy corn, because of the famine.5:4 There were also that said, we have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.5:5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our kinsmen, our children as their children: and lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters are brought into bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; because other men have our lands and vineyards.5:6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.5:7 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said to them, you exact interest, everyone from his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.5:8 And I said to them, we after our ability have redeemed our kinsmen the Jews, that were sold to the nations; and will you even sell your kinsmen? or will they be sold to us? Then they held their peace and found nothing to answer.5:9 Also I said, it is not good what you do: you ought not to walk in the fear of our Elohim because of the scorn of the nations our enemies? 5:10 I likewise and my kinsmen, and my servants, might exact from them money and corn: I ask you, let us stop this taking of interest.5:11 Restore, I ask you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their olive-yards, and their houses, also the 100th part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that you exact from them.5:12 Then they said, we will restore them and will require nothing from them; so will we do as you say. Then I called the priests, and took an oath from them, that they should do according to this promise.5:13 Also I shook my lap and said, so Elohim shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that performs not this promise, even so is he shaken out, and emptied. And all the company replied, so be it, and praised YHWH. And the people did according to this promise.5:14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the 20th year even to the 32nd year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, 12 years, I and my kinsmen have not eaten the bread of the governor.5:15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable to the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, besides 40 shekels [1 lb.] of silver; yes, even their servants exercised power over the people: and I have not done so, because of the fear of Elohim.5:16 Yes, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered there to the work.5:17 Moreover there were at my table 150 of the Jews and rulers, besides those that came to us from among the nations that are around us.5:18 Now what was prepared for me daily was one ox and 6 choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in 10 days store of all sorts of wine. Still for all this I required not the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.5:19 Think upon me, my Elohim, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
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 rebuilt the wall, and that there was no breach left in it; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon its gates;) 6:2 That Sanballat and Geshem sent to me saying, come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me injury.6:3 And I sent messengers to them saying, I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease while I leave it, and come down to you?6:4 Still they sent to me 4 times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.6:5 Then sent Sanballat his slave to me in the same manner the 4th time with an open letter in his hand;6:6 In which was written, it is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says it, that you and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause you build the wall so that you may be their king, according to these words.6:7 And you have also appointed prophets to preach of you at Jerusalem saying, there is a king in Judah: and now will it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore and let us take counsel together.6:8 Then I sent to him saying, there are no such things done as you say, but you feign them out of your own heart.6:9 For they all made us afraid saying, their hands will be weakened from the work so that it is not done. Now therefore strengthen you my hands.6:10 Afterward I came to 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 Elohim, within the Temple, and let us shut the doors of the Temple. Because they will come to kill you; yes, in the night will they come to kill you.6:11 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.6:12 And lo, I perceived that Elohim had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.6:13 Therefore was he hired so that I should be afraid, and do so and sin, and that they might have a matter for a bad report so that they might scorn me.6:14 My Elohim, think 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.6:15 So the wall was finished in the 25th day of the month Elul, in 52 days.6:16 And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard this, and all the nations that were around us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: because they perceived that this work was accomplished of our Elohim.6:17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came to them.6:18 Because there were many in Judah adjured to 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.6:19 Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
7:1 Now it came to pass when the wall was rebuilt, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,7:2 that I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: because he was a faithful man, and feared Elohim above many.7:3 And I said to them, let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, everyone in his watch, and everyone to be opposite his house.7:4 Now the city was large and great: but the people were few in it, and the houses were not built.7:5 And my Elohim put into my 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 that came up at the first, and I found written in it,7:6 these are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, who Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and returned to Jerusalem and to Judah, everyone to his city;7:7 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;7:8 The children of Parosh, 2,172.7:9 The children of Shephatiah, 372.7:10 The children of Arah, 652.7:11 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818.7:12 The children of Elam, 1,254.7:13 The children of Zattu, 845.7:14 The children of Zaccai, 760.7:15 The children of Binnui, 648.7:16 The children of Bebai, 628.7:17 The children of Azgad, 2,322.7:18 The children of Adonikam, 667.7:19 The children of Bigvai, 2,067.7:20 The children of Adin, 655.7:21 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, 98.7:22 The children of Hashum, 328.7:23 The children of Bezai, 324.7:24 The children of Hariph, 112.7:25 The children of Gibeon, 95.7:26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188.7:27 The men of Anathoth, 128.7:28 The men of Bethazmaveth, 42.7:29 The men of Kirjathjearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743.7:30 The men of Ramah and Geba, 621.7:31 The men of Michmas, 122.7:32 The men of Bethel and Ai, 123.7:33 The men of the other Nebo, 52.7:34 The children of the other Elam, 1,254.7:35 The children of Harim, 320.7:36 The children of Jericho, 345.7:37 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721.7:38 The children of Senaah, 3,930.7:39 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua 973.7:40 The children of Immer, 1,052.7:41 The children of Pashur, 1,247.7:42 The children of Harim, 1.017.7:43 The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, 74.7:44 The singers: the children of Asaph, 148.7:45 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, 138.7:46 The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,7:47 The children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon,7:48 The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai,7:49 The children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar,7:50 The children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda,7:51 The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phaseah,7:52 The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephishesim,7:53 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,7:54 The children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,7:55 The children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Tamah,7:56 The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.7:57 The children of Solomon's slaves: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,7:58 The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,7:59 The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon.7:60 All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's slaves, were 392.7:61 And these were they that went up also from Telmelah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not show their father's house, nor their descendants, whether they were of Israel.7:62 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, 642.7:63 And of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai that took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name.7:64 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as defiled, were put from the priesthood.7:65 And the Tirshatha (governor) said to them, that they should not eat of the Most Holy things until there stood up a priest with the Urim- Thummim.7:66 The whole company together was 42,360.7:67 Beside their male and female slaves, of whom there were 7,337: and they had 245 singing men and singing women.7:68 Their horses, 736: their mules, 245:7:69 Their camels, 435: and 6,720 donkeys.7:70 And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the work. The Tirshatha (governor) gave to the treasury 1000 drams [19 lbs.] of gold, 50 basins, 530 priests' garments.7:71 And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasury of the work 20,000 drams [375 lbs.] of gold, and 2,200 minas [1 1/3rd tons] of silver.7:72 And what the rest of the people gave was 20,000 drams [375 lbs.] of gold, and 2000 minas [1 1/4th tons] of silver, and 67 priests' garments.7:73 So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Israel, lived in their cities; and when the 7th month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.
8:1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the Water Gate; and they spoke to Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Torah of Moses that YHWH had commanded to Israel.8:2 And Ezra the priest brought the law before the company both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, on the 1st day of the 7th month.8:3 And he read in it 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 to the Book of the Torah.8:4 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchiah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam.8:5 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:8:6 And Ezra blessed YHWH, the great Elohim. And all the people answered, so be it, so be it, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads and worshipped YHWH with their faces to the ground.8:7 Also Jeshua, Bani, 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.8:8 So they read in the Book in the Torah of Elohim distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.8:9 And Nehemiah that is the Tirshatha (governor), and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said to all the people, this day is Holy to YHWH your Elohim; mourn not, nor weep. Because all the people wept, when they heard the Words of the Torah.8:10 Then he said to them, go your way, eat the fat and drink the sweet, and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared: because this day is Holy to the LORD: neither be you sorry; because the joy of YHWH is your Place of Safety.8:11 So the Levites quieted all the people saying, hold your peace, for the day is Holy; neither be grieved.8:12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great gaiety, because they had understood the Words that were declared to them.8:13 And on the 2nd day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, to Ezra the scribe, even to understand the Words of the law.8:14 And they found written in the law that YHWH had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should live in booths in the Festival of the 7th month:8:15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem saying, go out to 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.8:16 So the people went out and brought them, and made themselves booths, everyone upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the House of Elohim, and in the street of the Water Gate, and in the street of the Gate of Ephraim.8:17 And all the company of them that were returned out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: because since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.8:18 Also day by day, from the 1st day to the Last Day, he read in the Book of the Torah of Elohim. And they observed the Festival 7 days; and on the 8th day was a solemn assembly, according to the custom.
9:1 Now in the 24th day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackcloth and earth upon them.9:2 And the offspring of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins, and the depravities of their forefathers.9:3 And they stood up in their place, and read in the Book of the Torah of YHWH Elohim a quarter of the day; and another quarter they confessed, and worshipped YHWH Elohim.9:4 Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levites, Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice to YHWH Elohim.9:5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah said, stand up and bless YHWH Elohim for the ages of the ages: and blessed is your glorious Name that is exalted above all blessing and praise.9:6 You, even you, are YHWH alone; you have fashioned universe, the cosmos of the universe, with all their host, the earth, and all that is in it, the seas, and all that is in it, and you preserve them all; and the host of the cosmos worships you.9:7 You are YHWH Elohim, who did choose Abram, and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gave him the name of Abraham;9:8 And found his heart faithful before you, and cut out a Covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to ascribe it, I say, to his descendants, and have performed your Words; because you are righteous:9:9 And did see the affliction of our forefathers in Egypt, and heard their cry by the Red Sea;9:10 And showed signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his slaves, and on all the people of his land: because you knew that they dealt proudly against them. So did you acquire yourself fame, as it is this day.9:11 And you did divide the sea before them, so that they went through the middle of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors you threw into the deep, as a stone into the mighty waters.9:12 Moreover you led them in the day by a Cloud-mass Pillar; and in the night by a Pillar of Supernatural Fire, to give them light in the journey in which they should go.9:13 You came down also upon Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from the skies, and gave them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:9:14 And made known to them your Holy Sabbath, and commanded them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses your slave:9:15 And gave them bread from the skies for their hunger, and brought forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promised them that they should go in to possess the land that you had adjured to give them.9:16 But they and our forefathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks and obeyed not your commandments,9:17 And refused to obey, neither were mindful of your wonders that you did among them. But hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but you are an Elohim ready to pardon, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsook them not.9:18 Yes, when they had fashioned themselves a molten metal calf and said, this is your elohim that brought you up out of Egypt, and had committed a great despising;9:19 Yet you in your abounding compassion forsook them not in the uninhabited land. The Pillar of the Cloud-mass departed not from them by day, to lead them in the journey; neither the Pillar of Supernatural Fire by night, to show them light, and the path in which they should go.9:20 You gave also your good Spirit to instruct them, and withheld not your manna from their mouth, and gave them water for their thirst.9:21 Yes, 40 years did you sustain them in the uninhabited land, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes did not wear out, and their feet swelled not.9:22 And you gave to them kingdoms, and peoples, and did apportion them to the corner, and they possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan.9:23 Their children also you multiplied as the stars of the cosmos, and brought them into the land, concerning which you had promised to their forefathers, that they should go in to possess it.9:24 So the children went in and possessed the land, and you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would.9:25 And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells excavated, vineyards, and olive-yards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat and were filled, and became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness.9:26 Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against you, and cast your law behind their backs, and killed your prophets that testified against them to turn them to you, and they committed great blasphemy.9:27 Therefore you delivered them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them. And in the time of their trouble, when they cried to you, you heard them from the cosmos; and according to your abounding compassion you appointed them saviors, who delivered them out of the hand of their enemies.9:28 But after they had rest, they did bad again before you. Therefore you left them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned and cried to you, you heard them from the cosmos; and many times did you deliver them according to your compassion;9:29 And testified against them, that you might bring them again to your Torah. Yet they dealt proudly and obeyed not your commandments, but sinned against your judgments, (which if a man does, he will live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.9:30 For many years you did forbear them, and testified against them by your Spirit in your prophets: yet they would not give an ear: therefore you gave them into the hand of the people of the lands.9:31 Nevertheless for your great compassion's sake you did not utterly consume them or forsake them; because you are a gracious and compassionate Elohim.9:32 Now therefore, our Elohim, the great, the mighty, and the awe inspiring Elohim, who guards Covenant and goodness, let not all the trouble seem little before you, that has come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our ancestors, and on all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria to this day.9:33 But you are righteous in all that is brought upon us; because you have done right, but we have done wickedly:9:34 Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests or our ancestors, observed your law, nor obeyed your commandments and your testimonies, in which you did testify against them.9:35 Because they have not served you in their kingdom, and in your great goodness that you extended to them, and in the large and fat land that you ascribed to them, neither turned they from their wicked works.9:36 Observe, we are slaves this day, and for the land that you ascribed to our forefathers to eat its fruit and its good things, look, we are slaves in it:9:37 And it yields much increase to the kings who you have 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.9:38 And because of all this we make a certain covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal it.
10:1 Now those that sealed it were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, Zidkijah,10:2 Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,10:3 Pashur, Amariah, Malchijah,10:4 Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,10:5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,10:6 Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,10:7 Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,10:8 Maaziah, Bilgai, Shemaiah: these were the priests.10:9 And the Levites: both Jeshua the son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel;10:10 And their kinsmen, Shebaniah, Hodijah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,10:11 Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah,10:12 Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,10:13 Hodijah, Bani, Beninu.10:14 The chief of the people; Parosh, Pahathmoab, Elam, Zatthu, Bani,10:15 Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,10:16 Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,10:17 Ater, Hizkijah, Azzur,10:18 Hodijah, Hashum, Bezai,10:19 Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,10:20 Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,10:21 Meshezabeel, Zadok, Jaddua,10:22 Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,10:23 Hoshea, Hananiah, Hashub,10:24 Hallohesh, Pileha, Shobek,10:25 Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,10:26 And Ahijah, Hanan, Anan,10:27 Malluch, Harim, Baanah.10:28 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 to the Torah of Elohim, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, everyone having knowledge and having understanding;10:29 They are laying hold on their kinsmen, their honorable ones, and coming in to an execration, and in to an oath, to walk in the Torah of Elohim, that was given by the hand of Moses, slave of Elohim. And to observe and to institute all the commands of YHWH LORD, and his judgments, and his statutes;10:30 And that we would not give our daughters to the people of the land or take their daughters for our sons:10:31 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 7th year, and the usury on every hand.10:32 Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the 3rd part of a shekel for the service of the House of our Elohim;10:33 For bread of the arrangement (shewbread), and the continual present, and the continual Burnt- Offering of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for appointed seasons, and for Sacred things, and for Sin-Offerings, to make a covering for Israel, even all the work of the House of our Elohim.10:34 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 Elohim, after the houses of our forefathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the Altar of YHWH Elohim, as it is written in the law.10:35 And to bring the first-fruits of our ground, and the first-fruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, to the Temple of YHWH:10:36 Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the Torah, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the House of our Elohim, to the priests that minister in the House of our Elohim:10:37 And that we should bring the first-fruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all kinds of trees, of wine and of oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the House of our Elohim. And the tithes of our ground to the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.10:38 And the priest the son of Aaron will be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites will bring up the tithe of the tithes to the House of our Elohim, to the chambers, into the treasury.10:39 Because the children of Israel and the children of Levi will bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, to 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 Elohim.
11:1 And the rulers of the people lived at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring 1 of 10 to live in Jerusalem the Holy City, and 9 parts to live in other cities.11:2 And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to live at Jerusalem.11:3 And these are heads of the province who have lived in Jerusalem, and in cities of Judah, they have abided each in his possession in their cities; Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinim, and the sons of the slaves of Solomon.11:4 And at Jerusalem lived 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;11:5 And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.11:6 All the sons of Perez that lived at Jerusalem were 468 valiant men.11:7 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.11:8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai, 928.11:9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.11:10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin.11:11 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 Elohim.11:12 And their kinsmen that did the work of the Temple were 822: 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,11:13 And his kinsmen, chief of the fathers, 242: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,11:14 And their kinsmen, mighty men of valor, 128: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men.11:15 Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;11:16 And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the House of Elohim.11:17 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 kinsmen, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.11:18 All the Levites in the Holy City were 284.11:19 Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their kinsmen that guarded the gates, were 172.11:20 And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance.11:21 But the Nethinims lived in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims.11:22 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 Elohim.11:23 Because it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.11:24 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.11:25 And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah lived at Kirjatharba, and in its villages, and at Dibon, and in its villages, and at Jekabzeel, and in its villages,11:26 and at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Bethphelet,11:27 and at Hazarshual, and at Beersheba, and in its villages,11:28 and at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in its villages.11:29 And at Enrimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth,11:30 Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and its fields, at Azekah, and in its villages. And they lived from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom.11:31 The children also of Benjamin from Geba lived at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages,11:32 And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,11:33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,11:34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,11:35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.11:36 And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.
12:1 Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,12:2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,12:3 Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,12:4 Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah,12:5 Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,12:6 Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah,12:7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their kinsmen in the days of Jeshua.12:8 Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, that was over the thanksgiving, he and his kinsmen.12:9 Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their kinsmen, were opposite them in the watches.12:10 And Jeshua gendered Joiakim, Joiakim also gendered Eliashib, and Eliashib gendered Joiada,12:11 And Joiada gendered Jonathan, and Jonathan gendered Jaddua.12:12 And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;12:13 Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;12:14 Of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;12:15 Of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai;12:16 Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;12:17 Of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai;12:18 Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;12:19 And of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi;12:20 Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;12:21 Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel.12:22 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.12:23 The sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers, were written in the Book of Chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib.12:24 And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their kinsmen opposite them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of Elohim, watch opposite watch.12:25 Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the watch at the thresholds of the gates.12:26 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.12:27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to observe the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgiving and with singing, with cymbals, bagpipes (skin-bag), and with lyre.12:28 And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country all around Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi;12:29 Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had built themselves villages all around Jerusalem.12:30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.12:31 Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, of which one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate:12:32 And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah,12:33 And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam,12:34 Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,12:35 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:12:36 And his kinsmen, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of Elohim, and Ezra the scribe before them.12:37 And at the Fountain Gate that was opposite 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 to the Water Gate eastward.12:38 And the other company of them that gave thanks went opposite them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even to the broad wall;12:39 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 to the Sheep Gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.12:40 So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the House of Elohim, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:12:41 And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;12:42 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.12:43 Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: because Elohim had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even in the distance.12:44 And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the first-fruits, 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. Because Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that stood.12:45 And both the singers and the porters kept the watch of their Elohim, and the watch of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.12:46 Because in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to Elohim.12:47 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 consecrated Holy things to the Levites; and the Levites consecrated them to the children of Aaron.
13:1 On that day they read in the Torah of Moses in the audience of the people; and in it was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the company of Elohim for the ages;13:2 Because they met not the children of Israel with food and water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: but our Elohim turned the curse into a blessing.13:3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed people.13:4 And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the House of our Elohim, was allied to Tobiah:13:5 And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where before 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.13:6 But in all this time I was not at Jerusalem: because in the 32nd year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I to the king, and after certain days I obtained leave from the king:13:7 And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the bad that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the Temple of Elohim.13:8 And it grieved me exceedingly: therefore I cast out all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.13:9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and there I brought again the vessels of the Temple of Elohim, with the Meat-Offering and the frankincense.13:10 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 everyone to his field.13:11 Then I contended with the rulers and said, why is the House of Elohim forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.13:12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil to the treasury.13:13 And I made treasurers over the treasury, 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: because they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute to their kinsmen.13:14 Remember me, O my Elohim, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the House of my Elohim, and for its offices.13:15 In those days I saw in Judah some treading wine-presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and loading mules; as also wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens that they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day. And I testified against them in the day in which they sold victuals.13:16 There abided men of Tyre also in there that brought fish, and all kinds of ware, and sold on the sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.13:17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah and said to them, what bad thing is this that you do, and profane the sabbath day?13:18 Did not your forefathers do so, and did not our Elohim bring all this badness upon us, and upon this city? yet you bring more anger upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.13:19 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 until after the sabbath. And some of my slaves I appointed at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.13:20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice.13:21 Then I testified against them and said to them, why lodge you all around wall? if you do so again, I will lay hands on you. So from that time on they came no more on the sabbath.13:22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and guard the gates, to consecrate the sabbath day. Remember me, O my Elohim, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of your goodness.13:23 In those days also I saw Jews that had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and of Moab:13:24 And their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.13:25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and struck certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them adjure by Elohim saying, you will not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters to your sons, or for yourselves.13:26 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 Elohim, and Elohim made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did foreign women cause to sin.13:27 Will we then listen to you to do all this great badness, to transgress against our Elohim in marrying foreign women?13:28 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.13:29 Remember them, O my Elohim, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the Covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.13:30 So I cleansed them from all foreigners, and appointed the watches of the priests and the Levites, everyone in his business;13:31 And for the Wood-Offering, at times appointed, and for the first-fruits. Remember me, O my Elohim, for good.
Copyright 2001 Dallas E. James