
The Book of Nehemiah

   {1:1} The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it came to pass
in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the
palace, {1:2} that Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men
out 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 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. {1:4} And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat
down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before
the God of heaven, {1:5} and said, I beseech thee, O Jehovah, the God
of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and
lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments: {1:6}
Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest
hearken unto the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee at
this time, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants while
I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned
against thee. Yea, I and my father's house have sinned: {1:7} we have
dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments,
nor the statutes, nor the ordinances, which thou commandedst thy
servant Moses. {1:8} Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou
commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye trespass, I will scatter
you abroad among the peoples: {1:9} but if ye return unto me, and keep
my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost
part of the heavens, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring
them unto the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell
there. {1:10} Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast
redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. {1:11} 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 delight to fear thy
name; and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him
mercy in the sight of this man. Now I was cupbearer to the king.



   {2:1} And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year
of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was before him, that I took up the
wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been [beforetime] sad in
his presence. {2:2} And 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. {2:3} And I 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? {2:4} Then the king said unto me, For
what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. {2:5}
And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant
have found favor in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah,
unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it. {2:6} 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. {2:7} 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 let me pass through till I come unto Judah;
{2:8} 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 castle which
appertaineth 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. {2:9} Then I came to the governors
beyond the River, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had
sent with me captains of the army and horsemen. {2:10} And when
Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of
it, it grieved them exceedingly, for 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 three days. {2:12} And I arose in the night, I and some
few men with me; neither told I any man what my God put into my heart
to do for Jerusalem; neither was there any beast with me, save the
beast that I rode upon. {2:13} And I went out by night by the valley
gate, even toward the jackal's well, and to the dung gate, and viewed
the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof
were consumed with fire. {2:14} Then I went on to the fountain gate and
to the king's pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under
me to pass. {2:15} Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed
the wall; and I turned back, and entered by the valley gate, and so
returned. {2:16} 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.
{2:17} Then said I unto them, Ye see the evil case 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. {2:18} And I told them of the hand of my God which was good
upon me, as also of 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 the good [work]. {2:19} 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? {2:20} 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.



   {3:1} Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the
priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set
up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Hammeah they sanctified it,
unto the tower of Hananel. {3:2} And next unto him builded the men of
Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri. {3:3} And the
fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build; they laid the beams thereof,
and set up the doors thereof, the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof.
{3:4} And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of
Hakkoz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the
son of Meshezabel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
{3:5} And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put
not their necks to the work of their lord. {3:6} And the old gate
repaired Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah;
they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the
bolts thereof, and the bars thereof. {3:7} And next unto them repaired
Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon,
and of Mizpah, [that appertained] to the throne of the governor beyond
the River. {3:8} Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah,
goldsmiths. And next unto him repaired Hananiah one of the perfumers,
and they fortified Jerusalem even unto the broad wall. {3:9} And next
unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the
district of Jerusalem. {3:10} And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the
son of Harumaph, over against his house. And next unto him repaired
Hattush the son of Hashabneiah. {3:11} Malchijah the son of Harim, and
Hasshub the son of Pahath-moab, repaired another portion, and the tower
of the furnaces. {3:12} And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of
Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his
daughters. {3:13} The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants
of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the bolts
thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits of the wall unto
the dung gate. {3:14} And the dung gate repaired Malchijah the son of
Rechab, the ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem; he built it, and
set up the doors thereof, the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof.
{3:15} And the fountain gate repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the
ruler of the district of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set
up the doors thereof, the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof, and the
wall of the pool of Shelah by the king's garden, even unto the stairs
that go down from the city of David. {3:16} After him repaired Nehemiah
the son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, unto the
place over against the sepulchres of David, and unto the pool that was
made, and unto the house of the mighty men. {3:17} After him repaired
the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah,
the ruler of half the district of Keilah, for his district. {3:18}
After him repaired their brethren, Bavvai the son of Henadad, the ruler
of half the district of Keilah. {3:19} And next to him repaired Ezer
the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another portion, over against
the ascent to the armory at the turning [of the wall]. {3:20} After him
Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired another portion, from the
turning [of the wall] unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high
priest. {3:21} After him repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of
Hakkoz another portion, 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 them repaired Benjamin and
Hasshub over against their house. After them repaired Azariah the son
of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah beside his own house. {3:24} After him
repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another portion, from the house of
Azariah unto the turning [of the wall], and unto the corner. {3:25}
Palal the son of Uzai [repaired] over against the turning [of the
wall], and the tower that standeth out from the upper house of the
king, which is by the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of
Parosh [repaired]. {3:26} (Now the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel, unto the
place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that
standeth out.) {3:27} After him the Tekoites repaired another portion,
over against the great tower that standeth out, and unto the wall of
Ophel. {3:28} Above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over
against his own house. {3:29} After them repaired Zadok the son of
Immer over against his own house. And after him repaired Shemaiah the
son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate. {3:30} After him
repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of
Zalaph, another portion. After him repaired Meshullam the son of
Berechiah over against his chamber. {3:31} After him repaired Malchijah
one of the goldsmiths unto the house of the Nethinim, and of the
merchants, over against the gate of Hammiphkad, and to the ascent of
the corner. {3:32} And between the ascent of the corner and the sheep
gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.





   {4:1} But it came to pass that, when Sanballat heard that we were
building the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked
the Jews. {4:2} And he spake before his brethren 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 rubbish, seeing they are
burned? {4:3} Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even
that which they are building, if a fox go up, he shall break down their
stone wall. {4:4} Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn back
their reproach upon their own head, and give them up for a spoil in a
land of captivity; {4:5} 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. {4:6} So we built the wall; and
all the wall was joined together unto half [the height] thereof: for
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 repairing of the walls of Jerusalem went
forward, [and] that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were
very wroth; {4:8} and they conspired all of them together to come and
fight against Jerusalem, and to cause confusion therein. {4:9} But we
made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and
night, because of them. {4:10} 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. {4:11} And our adversaries said, They
shall not know, neither see, till we come into the midst of them, and
slay them, and cause the work to cease. {4:12} And it came to pass
that, when the Jews that dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten
times from all places, Ye must return unto us. {4:13} Therefore set I
in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in the open places, I
set [there] the people after their families with their swords, their
spears, and their bows. {4:14} 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, who is great and terrible, and fight
for your brethren, 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 unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we
returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. {4:16} And it
came to pass from that time forth, that half of my servants wrought in
the work, and half of them held the spears, the shields, and the bows,
and the coats of mail; and the rulers were behind all the house of
Judah. {4:17} They all builded the wall and they that bare burdens
laded themselves; every one with one of his hands wrought in the work,
and with the other held his weapon; {4:18} and the builders, every one
had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded
the trumpet was by me. {4:19} 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: {4:20} in what
place soever ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto
us; our God will fight for us. {4:21} So we wrought in the work: and
half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the
stars appeared. {4:22} 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 may labor in the day. {4:23}
So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the
guard that followed me, none of us put off our clothes, every one [went
with] his weapon [to] the water.





   {5:1} Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives
against their brethren the Jews. {5:2} For there were that said, We,
our sons and our daughters, are many: let us get grain, that we may eat
and live. {5:3} Some also there were that said, We are mortgaging our
fields, and our vineyards, and our houses: let us get grain, because of
the dearth. {5:4} There were also that said, We have borrowed money for
the king's tribute [upon] our fields and our vineyards. {5:5} 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 into bondage
[already]: neither is it in our power to help it; for other men have
our fields and our vineyards. {5:6} And I was very angry when I heard
their cry and these words. {5:7} Then I consulted with myself, and
contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact
usury, every one of his brother. And I held a great assembly against
them. {5:8} And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed
our brethren the Jews, that were sold unto the nations; and would ye
even sell your brethren, and should they be sold unto us? Then held
they their peace, and found never a word. {5:9} Also I said, The thing
that ye do is not good: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God,
because of the reproach of the nations our enemies? {5:10} And I
likewise, my brethren and my servants, do lend them money and grain. I
pray you, let us leave off this usury. {5:11} Restore, I pray you, to
them, even this day, their fields, their vineyards, their oliveyards,
and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the
grain, the new wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. {5:12} Then
said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so
will we do, even as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an
oath of them, that they would do according to this promise. {5:13} Also
I shook out my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his
house, and from his labor, that performeth not this promise; even thus
be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the assembly said, Amen, and
praised Jehovah. 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 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. {5:15} But the former
governors that were before me were chargeable unto the people, and took
of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yea, even
their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of
the fear of God. {5:16} 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. {5:17} Moreover there were at my table, of the Jews and
the rulers, a hundred and fifty men, besides those that came unto us
from among the nations that were round about us. {5:18} Now that which
was prepared for one day 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 I demanded not the bread of the governor, because the
bondage was heavy upon this people. {5:19} Remember unto me, O my God,
for good, all that I have done for this people.



   {6:1} Now it came to pass, when it was reported to Sanballat and
Tobiah, and to Geshem the Arabian, and unto the rest of our enemies,
that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein;
(though even unto that time I had not set up the doors in the gates;)
{6:2} that Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet
together in [one of] the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought
to do me mischief. {6:3} 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? {6:4} And they sent
unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same
manner. {6:5} Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner
the fifth time with an open letter in his hand, {6:6} wherein was
written, It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu saith it, that
thou and the Jews think to rebel; for which cause thou art building the
wall: and thou wouldest be their king, according to these words. {6:7}
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. {6:8} Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such
things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own
heart. {6:9} For they all would have made us afraid, saying, Their
hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. But now, [O
God], strengthen thou my hands. {6:10} And I went unto the house of
Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, 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. {6:11} And I said,
Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being such as I,
would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in. {6:12} And
I discerned, and, lo, God had not sent him; but he pronounced this
prophecy against me: and Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. {6:13} For
this cause 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. {6:14} Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according
to these their works, and also 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 twenty and fifth [day] of [the month] Elul, in fifty
and two days. {6:16} And it came to pass, when all our enemies heard
[thereof], that all the nations that were about us feared, and were
much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was
wrought of our God. {6:17} Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah
sent many letters unto Tobiah, and [the letters] of Tobiah came unto
them. {6:18} For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he
was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan
had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah to wife.
{6:19} Also they spake of his good deeds before me, and reported my
words to him. [And] Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.



   {7:1} Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up
the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were
appointed, {7:2} that I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the
governor of the castle, charge over Jerusalem; for he was a faithful
man, and feared God above many. {7:3} And I said unto them, Let not the
gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand
[on guard], let them shut the doors, and bar ye them: and appoint
watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and
every one [to be] over against his house. {7:4} Now the city was wide
and large; but the people were few therein, and the houses were not
builded. {7:5} And my God 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 the book of the genealogy of them that came up
at the first, and I found written therein: {7:6} 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 that returned unto Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his
city; {7:7} who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah,
Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah.
The number of the men of the people of Israel: {7:8} The children of
Parosh, two thousand a hundred and seventy and two. {7:9} The children
of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two. {7:10} The children of
Arah, six hundred fifty and two. {7:11} The children of Pahath-moab, of
the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred [and]
eighteen. {7:12} The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and
four. {7:13} The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five.
{7:14} The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threescore. {7:15} The
children of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight. {7:16} The children of
Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight. {7:17} The children of Azgad, two
thousand three hundred twenty and two. {7:18} The children of Adonikam,
six hundred threescore and seven. {7:19} The children of Bigvai, two
thousand threescore and seven. {7:20} The children of Adin, six hundred
fifty and five. {7:21} The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety and
eight. {7:22} The children of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight.
{7:23} The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four. {7:24} The
children of Hariph, a hundred and twelve. {7:25} The children of
Gibeon, ninety and five. {7:26} The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, a
hundred fourscore and eight. {7:27} The men of Anathoth, a hundred
twenty and eight. {7:28} The men of Beth-azmaveth, forty and two.
{7:29} The men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred
forty and three. {7:30} The men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty
and one. {7:31} The men of Michmas, a hundred and twenty and two.
{7:32} The men of Beth-el and Ai, a hundred twenty and three. {7:33}
The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two. {7:34} The children of the
other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. {7:35} The children
of Harim, three hundred and twenty. {7:36} The children of Jericho,
three hundred forty and five. {7:37} The children of Lod, Hadid, and
Ono, seven hundred twenty and one. {7:38} The children of Senaah, three
thousand nine hundred and thirty. {7:39} The priests: The children of
Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy and three. {7:40}
The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two. {7:41} The children of
Pashhur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven. {7:42} The children of
Harim, a thousand [and] seventeen. {7:43} The Levites: the children of
Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four.
{7:44} The singers: the children of Asaph, a hundred forty and eight.
{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, a hundred thirty and eight. {7:46} The Nethinim:
the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, 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 Salmai, {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 Paseah.
{7:52} The children of Besai, the children of Meunim, the children of
Nephushesim, {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 Temah, {7:56} the children of
Neziah, the children of Hatipha. {7:57} The children of Solomon's
servants: 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-hazzebaim, the children
of Amon. {7:60} All the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's
servants, were three hundred ninety and two. {7:61} And these were they
that went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer; but
they could not show their fathers' houses, nor their seed, whether they
were of Israel: {7:62} The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah,
the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two. {7:63} And of the
priests: the children of Hobaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children
of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the
Gileadite, 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 deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.
{7:65} And the governor said unto them, that they should not eat of the
most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and Thummim.
{7:66} The whole assembly together was forty and two thousand three
hundred and threescore, {7:67} besides their men-servants and their
maid-servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty
and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and
singing women. {7:68} Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six;
their mules, two hundred forty and five; {7:69} [their] camels, four
hundred thirty and five; [their] asses, six thousand seven hundred and
twenty. {7:70} And some from among the heads of fathers' [houses] gave
unto the work. The governor gave to the treasury a thousand darics of
gold, fifty basins, five hundred and thirty priests' garments. {7:71}
And some of the heads of fathers' [houses] gave into the treasury of
the work twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand and two
hundred pounds of silver. {7:72} And that which the rest of the people
gave was twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand pounds of
silver, and threescore and seven priests' garments. {7:73} So the
priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of
the people, and the Nethinim, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities.
And when the seventh month was come, the children of Israel were in
their cities.



   {8:1} And all the people gathered themselves together as one man
into the broad place that was before the water gate; and they spake
unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which
Jehovah had commanded to Israel. {8:2} And Ezra the priest brought the
law before the assembly, both men and women, and all that could hear
with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. {8:3} And
he read therein before the broad place that was before the water gate
from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the
women, and of those that could understand; and the ears of all the
people were [attentive] unto the book of the law. {8:4} 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
Uriah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left
hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchijah, and Hashum, and
Hashbaddanah, 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
Jehovah, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with
the lifting up of their hands: and they bowed their heads, and
worshipped Jehovah with their faces to the ground. {8:7} Also Jeshua,
and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, 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} And they read in the book, in the law of God, distinctly; and
they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading. {8:9} And
Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the
Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is
holy unto Jehovah your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people
wept, when they heard the words of the law. {8:10} Then he said unto
them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions
unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our
Lord: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of Jehovah is your strength.
{8:11} So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace,
for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. {8:12} 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. {8:13} And on the second day were gathered together the
heads of fathers' [houses] of all the people, the priests, and the
Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words of
the law. {8:14} And they found written in the law, how that Jehovah had
commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths
in the feast of the seventh month; {8:15} 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 branches of wild olive,
and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to
make booths, as it is written. {8:16} 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 broad place of the water gate, and in the broad place of the
gate of Ephraim. {8:17} And all the assembly of them that were come
again out of the captivity made booths, and dwelt in 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. {8:18}
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 ordinance.



   {9:1} Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of
Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackcloth, and earth upon
them. {9:2} And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all
foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of
their fathers. {9:3} And they stood up in their place, and read in the
book of the law of Jehovah their God a fourth part of the day; and
[another] fourth part they confessed, and worshipped Jehovah their God.
{9:4} 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 Jehovah their God. {9:5} Then the Levites,
Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah,
[and] Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless Jehovah your God from
everlasting to everlasting; and blessed be thy glorious name, which is
exalted above all blessing and praise. {9:6} Thou art Jehovah, even
thou alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all
their host, the earth and all things that are thereon, the seas and all
that is in them, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven
worshippeth thee. {9:7} Thou art Jehovah the God, who didst choose
Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest
him the name of Abraham, {9:8} and foundest his heart faithful before
thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanite,
the Hittite, the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite, and the
Girgashite, to give it unto his seed, and hast performed thy words; for
thou art righteous. {9:9} And thou sawest the affliction of our fathers
in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red Sea, {9:10} and showedst
signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the
people of his land; for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against
them, and didst get thee a name, as it is this day. {9:11} And thou
didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst
of the sea on the dry land; and their pursuers thou didst cast into the
depths, as a stone into the mighty waters. {9:12} Moreover in a pillar
of cloud thou leddest them by day; and in a pillar of fire by night, to
give them light in the way wherein they should go. {9:13} Thou camest
down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and
gavest them right ordinances and true laws, good statutes and
commandments, {9:14} and madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and
commandedst them commandments, and statutes, and a law, by Moses thy
servant, {9:15} and gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and
broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and
commandedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou
hadst sworn to give them. {9:16} But they and our fathers dealt proudly
and hardened their neck, and hearkened not to thy commandments, {9:17}
and refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou
didst among them, but hardened their neck, 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 abundant in
lovingkindness, and forsookest them not. {9:18} 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; {9:19} yet thou in thy
manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of
cloud departed not from over them by day, to lead them in the way;
neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way
wherein they should go. {9:20} Thou gavest also thy good Spirit to
instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and
gavest them water for their thirst. {9:21} Yea, forty years didst thou
sustain them in the wilderness, [and] they lacked nothing; their
clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not. {9:22} Moreover thou
gavest them kingdoms and peoples, which thou didst allot after their
portions: so they possessed the land of Sihon, even the land of the
king of Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan. {9:23} Their
children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest
them into the land concerning which thou didst say to their fathers,
that they should go in to possess it. {9:24} 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 peoples of the land, that they might do with them
as they would. {9:25} And they took fortified cities, and a fat land,
and possessed houses full of all good things, cisterns hewn out,
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. {9:26} Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled
against thee, and cast thy law behind their back, and slew thy prophets
that testified against them to turn them again unto thee, and they
wrought great provocations. {9:27} Therefore thou deliveredst them into
the hand of their adversaries, who distressed them: and in the time of
their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest from heaven;
and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours who
saved them out of the hand of their adversaries. {9:28} 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 from heaven;
and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies, {9:29}
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 thine ordinances, (which if a man do,
he shall live in them,) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their
neck, and would not hear. {9:30} Yet many years didst thou bear with
them, and testifiedst against them by thy Spirit through thy prophets:
yet would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the hand
of the peoples of the lands. {9:31} Nevertheless in thy manifold
mercies thou didst not make a full end of them, nor forsake them; for
thou art a gracious and merciful God. {9:32} Now therefore, our God,
the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and
lovingkindness, let not all the travail 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. {9:33} Howbeit thou art
just in all that is come upon us; for thou hast dealt truly, but we
have done wickedly; {9:34} 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. {9:35} 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. {9:36} Behold, we are servants this day, and as for the land
that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good
thereof, behold, we are servants in it. {9:37} And it yieldeth much
increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins:
also they have power over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their
pleasure, and we are in great distress. {9:38} And yet for all this we
make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, our Levites, [and]
our priests, seal unto it.



   {10:1} Now those that sealed were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of
Hacaliah, and Zedekiah, {10:2} Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah, {10:3}
Pashhur, 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: namely, Jeshua the son of
Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel; {10:10} and their
brethren, Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, {10:11} Mica,
Rehob, Hashabiah, {10:12} Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, {10:13} Hodiah,
Bani, Beninu. {10:14} The chiefs of the people: Parosh, Pahath-moab,
Elam, Zattu, Bani, {10:15} Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, {10:16} Adonijah,
Bigvai, Adin, {10:17} Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, {10:18} Hodiah, Hashum,
Bezai, {10:19} Hariph, Anathoth, Nobai, {10:20} Magpiash, Meshullam,
Hezir, {10:21} Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, {10:22} Pelatiah, Hanan,
Anaiah, {10:23} Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, {10:24} Hallohesh, Pilha,
Shobek, {10:25} Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, {10:26} and Ahiah, Hanan,
Anan, {10:27} Malluch, Harim, Baanah. {10:28} And the rest of the
people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the
Nethinim, and all they that had separated themselves from the peoples
of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their
daughters, every one that had knowledge, and understanding; {10:29}
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 Jehovah
our Lord, and his ordinances and his statutes; {10:30} and that we
would not give our daughters unto the peoples of the land, nor take
their daughters for our sons; {10:31} and if the peoples of the land
bring wares or any grain on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not
buy of them on the sabbath, or on a holy day; and that we would forego
the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt. {10:32} 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; {10:33} for the
showbread, and for the continual meal-offering, and for the continual
burnt-offering, for the sabbaths, for the new moons, for the set
feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin-offerings to make
atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.
{10:34} And we cast lots, the priests, the Levites, and the people, for
the wood-offering, to bring it into the house of our God, according to
our fathers' houses, at times appointed, year by year, to burn upon the
altar of Jehovah our God, 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 manner of trees, year by year, unto the house of Jehovah;
{10:36} also the first-born 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; {10:37} and that we should bring the first-fruits of
our dough, and our heave-offerings, and the fruit of all manner of
trees, the new wine and the oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of
the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites;
for they, the Levites, take the tithes in all the cities of our
tillage. {10:38} 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. {10:39} For the children of Israel and the
children of Levi shall bring the heave-offering of the grain, of the
new wine, and of 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.



   {11:1} And the princes of the people dwelt in Jerusalem: the rest of
the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem
the holy city, and nine parts in the [other] cities. {11:2} And the
people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell
in Jerusalem. {11:3} Now these are the chiefs 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 Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants.
{11:4} And in 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 Mahalalel, 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
the Shilonite. {11:6} All the sons of Perez that dwelt in Jerusalem
were four hundred threescore and eight 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 Jeshaiah. {11:8} And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine
hundred twenty and eight. {11:9} And Joel the son of Zichri was their
overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah 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, the ruler of the house of God,
{11:12} and their brethren that did the work of the house, 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 Pashhur,
the son of Malchijah, {11:13} and his brethren, chiefs of fathers'
[houses], two hundred forty and two; and Amashsai the son of Azarel,
the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, {11:14}
and their brethren, mighty men of valor, a hundred twenty and eight;
and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim. {11:15} And of
the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son
of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; {11:16} and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of
the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward
business of the house of God; {11:17} and Mattaniah the son of Mica,
the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief 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.
{11:18} All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and
four. {11:19} Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren,
that kept watch at the gates, were a hundred seventy and two. {11:20}
And the residue of Israel, of the priests, the Levites, were in all the
cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance. {11:21} But the Nethinim
dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gishpa were over the Nethinim. {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 Mica, of the sons of
Asaph, the singers, over the business of the house of God. {11:23} For
there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled
provision for the singers, as every day required. {11:24} And Pethahiah
the son of Meshezabel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was
at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people. {11:25} And as
for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah
dwelt in Kiriath-arba and the towns thereof, and in Dibon and the towns
thereof, and in Jekabzeel and the villages thereof, {11:26} and in
Jeshua, and in Moladah, and Beth-pelet, {11:27} and in Hazar-shual, and
in Beer-sheba and the towns thereof, {11:28} and in Ziklag, and in
Meconah and in the towns thereof, {11:29} and in En-rimmon, and in
Zorah, and in Jarmuth, {11:30} Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages,
Lachish and the fields thereof, Azekah and the towns thereof. So they
encamped from Beer-sheba unto the valley of Hinnom. {11:31} The
children of Benjamin also [dwelt] from Geba [onward], at Michmash and
Aija, and at Beth-el and the towns thereof, {11:32} 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, certain courses in Judah [were joined] to 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} Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,
{12:4} Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijah, {12:5} Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, {12:6}
Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah. {12:7} Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah.
These were the chiefs of the priests and of their brethren in the days
of Jeshua. {12:8} Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel,
Sherebiah, Judah, [and] Mattaniah, who was over the thanksgiving, he
and his brethren. {12:9} Also Bakbukiah and Unno, their brethren, were
over against them according to their offices. {12:10} And Jeshua begat
Joiakim, and Joiakim begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada, {12:11}
and Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua. {12:12} And in
the days of Joiakim were priests, heads of fathers' [houses]: of
Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; {12:13} of Ezra, Meshullam; of
Amariah, Jehohanan; {12:14} of Malluchi, 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, Nethanel. {12:22} As for the Levites, in the days of Eliashib,
Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, there were recorded the heads of
fathers' [houses]; also the priests, in the reign of Darius the
Persian. {12:23} The sons of Levi, heads of fathers' [houses], were
written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Johanan
the son of Eliashib. {12:24} And the chiefs of the Levites: Hashabiah,
Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over
against them, to praise and give thanks, according to the commandment
of David the man of God, watch next to watch. {12:25} Mattaniah, and
Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the
watch at the store-houses 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 keep the dedication
with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals,
psalteries, and with harps. {12:28} And the sons of the singers
gathered themselves together, both out of the plain round about
Jerusalem, and from the villages of the Netophathites; {12:29} also
from Beth-gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the
singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem. {12:30} And
the priests and the Levites purified themselves; and they 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 that
gave thanks and went in procession; [whereof 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: Zechariah the
son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of
Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph; {12:36} and his brethren,
Shemaiah, and Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, and Judah,
Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God; and Ezra
the scribe was before them. {12:37} And by the fountain gate, and
straight before them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David,
at the ascent of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the
water gate eastward. {12:38} And the other company of them that gave
thanks went to meet them, and I after them, with the half of the
people, upon the wall, above the tower of the furnaces, even unto the
broad wall, {12:39} and above the gate of Ephraim, and by the old gate,
and by the fish gate, and the tower of Hananel, and the tower of
Hammeah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the gate of
the guard. {12:40} 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; {12:41}
and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, 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} And they offered great sacrifices that day, and
rejoiced; for God had made them rejoice with great joy; and the women
also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard
even afar off. {12:44} And on that day were men appointed over the
chambers for the treasures, for the heave-offerings, for the
first-fruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them, according to the
fields of the cities, the portions appointed by the law for the priests
and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites
that waited. {12:45} And they kept the charge of their God, and the
charge of the purification, and [so did] the singers and the porters,
according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son. {12:46}
For in the days of David and Asaph of old there was a chief of the
singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. {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, as every day required: and
they set apart [that which was] for the Levites; and the Levites set
apart [that which was] for the sons of Aaron.



   {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, {13:2}
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. {13:3} And it came to pass, when they had
heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
{13:4} Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the
chambers of the house of our God, being allied unto Tobiah, {13:5} 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. {13:6} 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, {13:7} 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. {13:8} And it grieved me sore: therefore I
cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. {13:9}
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. {13:10} 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. {13:11} 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. {13:12} Then
brought all Judah the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil
unto the treasuries. {13:13} 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. {13:14} 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. {13:15} 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. {13:16} 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. {13:17} 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? {13:18} 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. {13:19} 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. {13:20} So the
merchants and sellers of all kind of wares lodged without Jerusalem
once or twice. {13:21} 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. {13:22}
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. {13:23} In those days also saw I the
Jews that had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, [and] of Moab: {13:24}
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. {13:25} 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. {13:26} 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. {13:27} Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil,
to trespass against our God 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 God, because they have defiled the
priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
{13:30} Thus cleansed I them from all foreigners, and appointed charges
for the priests and for the Levites, every one in his work; {13:31} and
for the wood-offering, at times appointed, and for the first-fruits.
Remember me, O my God, for good.




