Nehemiah - douay rheims

Chapter 13

¹ And on that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people: and therein was found written, that the Ammonites and the Moabites should not come in to the church of God for ever:
² Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and water: and they hired against them Balaam, to curse them, and our God turned the curse into blessing.
³ And it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated every stranger from Israel.
⁴ And over this thing was Eliasib the priest, who was set over the treasury of the house of our God, and was near akin to Tobias.
⁵ And he made him a great storeroom, where before him they laid up gifts, and frankincense, and vessels, and the tithes of the corn, of the wine, and of the oil, the portions of the Levites, and of the singing men, and of the porters, and the firstfruits of the priests.
⁶ But in all this time I was not in Jerusalem, because in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon, I went to the king, and after certain days I asked the king:
⁷ And I came to Jerusalem, and I understood the evil that Eliasib had done for Tobias, to make him a storehouse in the courts of the house of God.
⁸ And it seemed to me exceeding evil. And I cast forth the vessels of the house of Tobias out of the storehouse.
⁹ And I commanded and they cleansed the storehouses: and I brought thither again the vessels of the house of God, the sacrifice, and the frankincense.
¹⁰ And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: and that the Levites, and the singing men, and they that ministered were fled away every man to his own country:
¹¹ And I pleaded the matter against the magistrates, and said: Why have we forsaken the house of God? And I gathered them together, and I made them to stand in their places.
¹² And all Juda brought the tithe of the corn, and the wine, and the oil into the storehouses.
¹³ And we set over the storehouses Selemias the priest, and Sadoc the scribe, and of the Levites Phadaia, and next to them Hanan the son of Zachur, the son of Mathania: for they were approved as faithful, and to them were committed the portions of their brethren.
¹⁴ Remember me, O my God, for this thing, and wipe not out my kindnesses, which I have done relating to the house of my God and his ceremonies.
¹⁵ In those days I saw in Juda some treading the presses on the sabbath, and carrying sheaves, and lading asses with wine, and grapes, and figs, and all manner of burthens, and bringing them into Jerusalem on the sabbath day. And I charged them that they should sell on a day on which it was lawful to sell.
¹⁶ Some Tyrians also dwelt there, who brought fish, and all manner of wares: and they sold them on the sabbaths to the children of Juda in Jerusalem.
¹⁷ And I rebuked the chief men of Juda, and said to them: What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the sabbath day?
¹⁸ Did not our fathers do these things, and our God brought all this evil upon us, and upon this city? And you bring more wrath upon Israel by violating the sabbath.
¹⁹ And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem were at rest on the sabbath day, I spoke: and they shut the gates, and I commanded that they should not open them till after the sabbath: and I set some of my servants at the gates, that none should bring in burthens on the sabbath day.
²⁰ So the merchants, and they that sold all kinds of wares, stayed without Jerusalem once or twice.
²¹ And I charged them, and I said to them: Why stay you before the wall? if you do so another time, I will lay hands on you. And from that time they came no more on the sabbath.
²² I spoke also to the Levites that they should be purified, and should come to keep the gates, and to sanctify the sabbath day: for this also remember me, O my God, and spare me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
²³ In those days also I saw Jews that married wives, women of Azotus, and of Ammon, and of Moab.
²⁴ And their children spoke half in the speech of Azotus, and could not speak the Jews' language, but they spoke according to the language of this and that people.
²⁵ And I chid them, and laid my curse upon them. And I beat some of them, and shaved off their hair, and made them swear by God that they would not give their daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for their sons, nor for themselves, saying:
²⁶ Did not Solomon king of Israel sin in this kind of thing? and surely among many nations, there was not a king like him, and he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: m and yet women of other countries brought even him to sin.
²⁷ And shall we also be disobedient and do all this great evil to transgress against our God, and marry strange women?
²⁸ And one of the sons of Joiada the son of Eliasib the high priest, was son in law to Sanaballat the Horonite, and I drove him from me.
²⁹ Remember them, O Lord my God, that defile the priesthood, and the law of priests and Levites.
³⁰ So I separated from them all strangers, and I appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites, every man in his ministry :
³¹ And for the offering of wood at times appointed, and for the firstfruits: remember me, O my God, unto good. Amen.

Nehemiah - webster

Chapter 13

¹ On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever:
² Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Baalam against them, that he should curse them: but 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 to Tobiah:
⁵ And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where formerly 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 I was not at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I came to the king, and after certain days I obtained leave of the king:
⁷ And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing for him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
⁸ And it grieved me greatly: 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 I brought 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, had fled every one to his field.
¹¹ Then I contended with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? and I assembled them, and set them in their place.
¹² Then all Judah brought the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil to 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 accounted faithful; and their office was to distribute to 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 its offices.
¹⁵ In those days I saw 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 in which they sold provisions.
¹⁶ There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, who brought fish, and all manner of wares, and sold on the sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
¹⁷ Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to 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 I set some of my servants 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 wares lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
²¹ Then I testified against them, and said to them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth they came 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 I saw Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:
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.
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 to their sons, nor take their daughters to 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 by his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.
²⁷ Shall we then hearken to you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying foreign 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 I cleansed 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 first-fruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

Nehemiah - world english bible

Chapter 13

¹ that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God forever,
² they didn't meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: however our God turned the curse into a blessing.
³ came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
⁴ before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the rooms of the house of our God, being allied to Tobiah,
⁵ prepared for him a great room, where before they laid the meal offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the wave offerings for the priests.
⁶ in all this [time] I was not at Jerusalem; for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king: and after certain days asked I leave of the king,
⁷ I came to Jerusalem, and understood the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in preparing him a room in the courts of the house of God.
⁸ grieved me severely: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the room.
⁹ I commanded, and they cleansed the rooms: and there brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meal offerings and the frankincense.
¹⁰ perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them; so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled everyone to his field.
¹¹ I contended with the rulers, and said, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
¹² brought all Judah the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the treasuries.
¹³ 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 business was to distribute to their brothers.
¹⁴ me, my God, concerning this, and don't wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its observances.
¹⁵ those days saw I in Judah some men treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys [therewith]; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all kinds of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day: and I testified [against them] in the day in which they sold food.
¹⁶ lived men of Tyre also therein, who brought in fish, and all kinds of wares, and sold on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
¹⁷ I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, "What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the Sabbath day?
¹⁸ your fathers do thus, and didn't our God bring all this evil on us, and on this city? Yet you bring more wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath."
¹⁹ came to pass that, when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath. I set some of my servants over the gates, that no burden should be brought in on the Sabbath day.
²⁰ the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside of Jerusalem once or twice.
²¹ I testified against them, and said to them, "Why do you stay around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on, they didn't come on the Sabbath.
²² commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember to me, my God, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of your loving kindness.
²³ those days also saw I the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, [and] of Moab:
²⁴ 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.
²⁵ contended with them, and cursed them, and struck certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, [saying], "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves.
²⁶ Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations was there no king like him, and he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless foreign women caused even him to sin.
²⁷ we then listen to you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God in marrying foreign women?"
²⁸ 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 them, my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
³⁰ I cleansed them from all foreigners, and appointed duties for the priests and for the Levites, everyone in his work;
³¹ for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the first fruits. Remember me, my God, for good.

Nehemiah - darby

Chapter 13

¹ On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and there was found written in it that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;
² because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and with water, and had hired Balaam against them, to curse them; but our God turned the curse into blessing.
³ And it came to pass, when they heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
⁴ And before this, Eliashib the priest, who had the oversight of the chambers of the house of our God, a kinsman of Tobijah,
⁵ had prepared for him a great chamber, where formerly they laid the oblations, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine and the oil, which was commanded for the Levites and the singers and the doorkeepers, and the heave-offerings of the priests.
⁶ And during all that [time] I was not at Jerusalem; for in the two-and-thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I came to the king; and after some time I obtained leave of the king.
⁷ And I came to Jerusalem, and observed the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobijah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
⁸ And it grieved me much, and I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobijah out of the chamber.
⁹ And I commanded, and they purified the chambers; and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, the oblation and the frankincense.
¹⁰ And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given, and that the Levites and the singers that did the work had fled every one to his field.
¹¹ Then I contended with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together and set them in their place.
¹² And all Judah brought the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil into the storehouses.
¹³ And I made storekeepers over the storehouses: Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah; and subordinate to them, Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were esteemed faithful, and their office was to distribute to their brethren.
¹⁴ Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds which I have done for the house of my God, and for the charges thereof!
¹⁵ In those days I saw in Judah some treading winepresses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading them on asses; as also wine, grapes and figs, and all manner of burdens; and they brought them into Jerusalem on the sabbath day; and I protested in the day on which they sold the victuals.
¹⁶ Men of Tyre also dwelt therein, who brought fish and all manner of ware, and sold it on the sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
¹⁷ And I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, What evil thing is this which ye do, profaning the sabbath day?
¹⁸ Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us and upon this city? And ye will bring more wrath against Israel by profaning the sabbath.
¹⁹ And it came to pass, that when it began to be dark in the gates of Jerusalem before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut; and I commanded that they should not be opened till after the sabbath. And I set [some] of my servants at the gates, so that no burden should be brought in on the sabbath day.
²⁰ And the dealers and sellers of all kind of ware passed the night without Jerusalem once or twice.
²¹ And I testified against them, and said to them, Why do ye pass the night before the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth they came not on the sabbath.
²² And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to hallow the sabbath day. Remember this also for me, my God, and spare me according to thy great loving-kindness!
²³ In those days also I saw Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, [and] of Moab.
²⁴ And their children spoke half in the language 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 adjured them by God [saying], Ye shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.
²⁶ Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among the many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel; but even him did foreign wives cause to sin.
²⁷ And should we hearken to you to do all this great evil, to act unfaithfully to our God by marrying foreign wives?
²⁸ And [one] of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite; and I chased him from me.
²⁹ Remember them, my God, for they are polluters of the priesthood, and of the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites!
³⁰ And I purified them from all foreigners, and appointed the charges of the priests and the Levites, every one in his service;
³¹ and for the wood-offering, at times appointed, and for the first-fruits. Remember me, O my God, for good!

Nehemiah - american standard version

Chapter 13

¹ On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God for ever,
² because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.
³ And it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
⁴ Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, being allied unto Tobiah,
⁵ had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meal-offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the heave-offerings for the priests.
⁶ But in all this [time] I was not at Jerusalem; for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went unto the king: and after certain days asked I leave of the king,
⁷ and I came to Jerusalem, and understood the evil that Eliashib had done 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 meal-offerings and the frankincense.
¹⁰ And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them; so that 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 grain 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 business 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 observances thereof.
¹⁵ In those days saw I in Judah some men treading wine-presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses [therewith]; 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, who brought in fish, and all manner of wares, 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 doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I over the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.
²⁰ So the merchants and sellers of all kind of wares 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 purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember unto me, O my God, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy lovingkindness.
²³ In those days also saw I the Jews that had married women 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 for 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, and he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did foreign women cause to sin.
²⁷ Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God in marrying foreign women?
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 foreigners, and appointed charges for the priests and for the Levites, every one in his work;
³¹ and for the wood-offering, at times appointed, and for the first-fruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

Nehemiah - basic english

Chapter 13

¹ On that day there was a reading from the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and they saw that it said in the book that no Ammonite or Moabite might ever come into the meeting of God;
² Because they did not give the children of Israel bread and water when they came to them, but got Balaam to put a curse on them: though the curse was turned into a blessing by our God.
³ So after hearing the law, they took out of Israel all the mixed people.
⁴ Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who had been placed over the rooms of the house of our God, being a friend of Tobiah,
⁵ Had made ready for him a great room, where at one time they kept the meal offerings, the perfume, and the vessels and the tenths of the grain and wine and oil which were given by order to the Levites and the music-makers and the door-keepers, and the lifted offerings for the priests.
⁶ But all this time I was not at Jerusalem: for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes, king of Babylon, I went to the king; and after some days, I got the king to let me go,
⁷ And I came to Jerusalem; and it was clear to me what evil Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in making ready for him a room in the buildings of the house of God.
⁸ And it was evil in my eyes: so I had all Tobiah's things put out of the room.
⁹ Then I gave orders, and they made the rooms clean: and I put back in them the vessels of the house of God, with the meal offerings and the perfume.
¹⁰ And I saw that the Levites had not been given what was needed for their support; so that the Levites and the music-makers, who did the work, had gone away, everyone to his field.
¹¹ Then I made protests to the chiefs, and said, Why has the house of God been given up? And I got them together and put them in their places.
¹² Then all Judah came with the tenth part of the grain and wine and oil and put it into the store-houses.
¹³ And I made controllers over the store-houses, Shelemiah the priest and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and with them was Hanan, the son of Zaccur the son of Mattaniah: they were taken to be true men and their business was the distribution of these things to their brothers.
¹⁴ Keep me in mind, O my God, in connection with this, and do not let the good which I have done for the house of my God and its worship go from your memory completely.
¹⁵ In those days, I saw in Judah some who were crushing grapes on the Sabbath, and getting in grain and putting it on asses; as well as wine and grapes and figs and all sorts of goods which they took into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day: and I gave witness against them on the day when they were marketing food.
¹⁶ And there were men of Tyre there, who came with fish and all sorts of goods, trading with the children of Judah and in Jerusalem on the Sabbath.
¹⁷ Then I made protests to the chiefs of Judah, and said to them, What is this evil which you are doing, not keeping the Sabbath day holy?
¹⁸ Did not your fathers do the same, and did not our God send all this evil on us and on this town? but you are causing more wrath to come on Israel by not keeping the Sabbath holy.
¹⁹ And so, when the streets of Jerusalem were getting dark before the Sabbath, I gave orders for the doors to be shut and not to be open again till after the Sabbath: and I put some of my servants by the door so that nothing might be taken in on the Sabbath day.
²⁰ So the traders in all sorts of goods took their night's rest outside Jerusalem once or twice.
²¹ Then I gave witness against them and said, Why are you waiting all night by the wall? if you do so again I will have you taken prisoners. From that time they did not come again on the Sabbath.
²² And I gave the Levites orders to make themselves clean and come and keep the doors and make the Sabbath holy. Keep this in mind to my credit, O my God, and have mercy on me, for great is your mercy.
²³ And in those days I saw the Jews who were married to women of Ashdod and Ammon and Moab:
²⁴ And their children were talking half in the language of Ashdod; they had no knowledge of the Jews' language, but made use of the language of the two peoples.
²⁵ And I took up the cause against them, cursing them and giving blows to some of them and pulling out their hair; and I made them take an oath by God, saying, You are not to give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.
²⁶ Was it not in these things that Solomon, king of Israel, did wrong? among a number of nations there was no king like him, and he was dear to his God, and God made him king over all Israel: but even he was made to do evil by strange women.
²⁷ Are we then without protest to let you do all this great evil, sinning against our God by taking strange women for your wives?
²⁸ And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib, the chief priest, was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite: so I sent him away from me.
²⁹ Keep them in mind, O my God, because they have put shame on the priests' name and on the agreement of the priests and the Levites.
³⁰ So I made them clean from all strange people, and had regular watches fixed for the priests and for the Levites, everyone in his work;
³¹ And for the wood offering, at fixed times, and for the first fruits. Keep me in mind, O my God, for good.