1 {1:1} The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And
it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year,
as I was in Shushan the palace, {1:2} That Hanani, one of
my brethren, came, he and [certain] men of Judah; and I
asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which
were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. {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
fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, {1:5} And
said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and
terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that
love him and observe his commandments: {1:6} Let thine
ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest
hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee
now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants,
and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have
sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have
sinned. {1:7} We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and
have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the
judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.
{1:8} Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou
commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, [If] ye transgress,
I will scatter you abroad among the nations: {1:9} But [if]
ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them;
though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of
the heaven, [yet] will I gather them from thence, and will
bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name
there. {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 desire to fear thy name: and
prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him
mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s
cupbearer.
2 {2:1} And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the
twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, [that] wine [was]
before him: and I took up the wine, and gave [it] unto the
king. Now I had not been [beforetime] sad in his presence.
{2:2} Wherefore the king said unto me, Why [is] thy
countenance sad, seeing thou [art] not sick? this [is] nothing
[else] but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,
{2:3} And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever:
why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the
place of my fathers’ sepulchres, [lieth] waste, and the gates
thereof are consumed with fire? {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 favour 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 convey me over till I come into 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
palace which [appertained] to the house, and for the wall of
the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the
king granted me, according to the good hand of my God
upon me.
{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 servant, the Ammonite, heard
[of it,] it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a
man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel. {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 had put in my
heart to do at 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 gate of the valley, even before the dragon
well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of
Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof
were consumed with fire. {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 beast [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 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 distress that we
[are] in, how Jerusalem [lieth] waste, and the gates thereof
are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of
Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. {2:18} Then I
told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me;
as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And
they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened
their hands for [this] good [work.] {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 {3:1} Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his
brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they
sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower
of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.
{3:2} And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And
next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri. {3:3} But the
fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who [also] laid
the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks
thereof, and the bars thereof. {3:4} And next unto them
repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And
next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah,
the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok
the son of Baana. {3:5} And next unto them the Tekoites
repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of
their Lord. {3:6} Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada
the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah;
they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof,
and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. {3:7} And next
unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the
Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, unto the
throne of the governor on this side the river. {3:8} Next
unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the
goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son
of [one of] the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem
unto the broad wall. {3:9} And next unto them repaired
Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of
Jerusalem. {3:10} And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the
son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next
unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah. {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 unto 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 built it, and set up the
doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a
thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate. {3:14} But
the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the
ruler of part of Beth-haccerem; he build it, and set up the
doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. {3:15}
But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh,
the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered
it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the
bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king’s
garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of
David. {3:16} After him repaired Nehemiah the son of
Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Beth-zur, unto [the
place] over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool
that was made, and unto the house of the mighty. {3:17}
After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani.
Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part
of Keilah, in his part. {3:18} After him repaired their
brethren, 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 over against the
going up to the armoury 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] unto 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 over against 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 unto the
turning [of the wall,] even unto the corner. {3:25} Palal the
son of Uzai, over against the turning [of the wall,] and the
tower which lieth out from the king’s high house, that [was]
by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of
Parosh. {3:26} Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel,
unto [the place] over against the water gate toward the east,
and the tower that lieth out. {3:27} After them the Tekoites
repaired another piece, over against the great tower that
lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel. {3:28} From above
the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against
his house. {3:29} After them repaired Zadok the son of
Immer over against his house. After him repaired also
Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.
{3:30} After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah,
and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him
repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his
chamber. {3:31} After him repaired Malchiah the
goldsmith’s son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the
merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going
up of the corner. {3:32} And between the going up of the
corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the
merchants.
4 {4:1} But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard
that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great
indignation, and mocked the Jews. {4:2} And he spake
before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What
do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they
sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive
the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?
{4:3} Now Tobiah the Ammonite [was] by him, and he
said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall
even break down their stone wall. {4:4} Hear, O our God;
for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own
head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
{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 built we the wall; and
all the wall was joined together unto the half 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 walls of Jerusalem were made
up, [and] that the breaches began to be stopped, then they
were very wroth, {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 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 in the
midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to
cease. {4:12} And it came to pass, that when the Jews
which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times,
From all places whence ye shall return unto us [they will be
upon you.]
{4:13} Therefore set I in the lower places behind the
wall, [and] on the higher places, I even set the people after
their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
{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, [which 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] the
half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half
of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and
the habergeons; and the rulers [were] behind all the house of
Judah. {4:17} They which builded on the wall, and they that
bare burdens, with those that laded, [every one] with one of
his hands wrought in the work, and with the other [hand]
held a weapon. {4:18} For the builders, every one had his
sword girded by his side, and [so] builded. And he that
sounded the trumpet [was] by me.
{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 [therefore] ye hear the sound of the trumpet,
resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us. {4:21}
So we laboured 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 labour on the day.
{4:23} So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor
the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off
our clothes, [saving that] every one put them off for
washing.
5 {5:1} And there was 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:
therefore we take up corn [for them,] that we may eat, and
live. {5:3} [Some] also there were that said, We have
mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might
buy corn, because of the dearth. {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 brethren, our children as their
children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our
daughters to be servants, and [some] of our daughters are
brought unto bondage [already:] neither [is it] in our power
[to redeem them;] for other men have our lands and
vineyards.
{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 unto them, Ye
exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great
assembly against them. {5:8} And I said unto them, We
after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews,
which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell
your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they
their peace, and found nothing [to answer.] {5:9} Also I
said, It [is] not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the
fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen
our enemies? {5:10} I likewise, [and] my brethren, and my
servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you,
let us leave off this usury. {5:11} Restore, I pray you, to
them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their ol-
iveyards, and their houses, also the the hundredth [part] of
the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye
exact of them. {5:12} Then said they, We will restore
[them,] and will require nothing of them; so will we do as
thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of
them, that they should do according to this promise. {5:13}
Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man
from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this
promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all
the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And
the people did according to this promise.
{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
[had been] before me were chargeable unto the people, and
had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of
silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but
so did not I, because of the fear of God. {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 an hundred
and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto
us from among the heathen that [are] about us. {5:18} Now
[that] which was prepared [for me] daily [was] one ox [and]
six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once
in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required
not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was
heavy upon this people. {5:19} Think upon me, my God,
for good, [according] to all that I have done for this people.
6 {6:1} Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah,
and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard
that I had builded the wall, and [that] there was no breach
left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors
upon the gates;) {6:2} That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto
me, saying, Come, let us meet together in [some one of] the
villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me
mischief. {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} Yet 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 heathen, and Gashmu saith
[it, that] thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause
thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king,
according to these words. {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
made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from
the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, [O God,]
strengthen my hands. {6:10} Afterward I came unto the
house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of
Mehetabeel, who [was] shut up; and he said, Let us meet
together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us
shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee;
yea, in the night will they come to slay thee. {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 God had
not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against
me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. {6:13}
Therefore [was] he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so,
and sin, and [that] they might have [matter] for an evil
report, that they might reproach me. {6:14} My God, think
thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their
works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the
prophets, that would have put me in fear.
{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, that when all our enemies heard [thereof,]
and all the heathen that [were] about us saw [these things,]
they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they
perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
{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 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 {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 ruler of the palace, 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 by, let them shut the doors, and bar [them:] and
appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one
in his watch, and every one [to be] over against his house.
{7:4} Now the city [was] large and great: but the people
[were] few therein, and the houses [were] not builded.
{7:5} And my God put into mine heart to gather together
the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be
reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the
genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found
written therein, {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 came again to 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, [I say,] of the men of the people of
Israel [was this; ]{7:8} The children of Parosh, two
thousand an hundred 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, an hundred and
twelve. {7:25} The children of Gibeon, ninety and five.
{7:26} The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, an hundred
fourscore and eight. {7:27} The men of Anathoth, an
hundred twenty and eight. {7:28} The men of Bethazmaveth,
forty and two. {7:29} The men of Kirjath-jearim,
Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty and three.
{7:30} The men of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty
and one. {7:31} The men of Michmas, an hundred and
twenty and two. {7:32} The men of Bethel and Ai, an
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 Pashur, 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,
[and] of the children of Hodevah, seventy and four.
{7:44} The singers: the children of Asaph, an 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, an hundred thirty
and eight.
{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 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 of Zebaim, the
children of Amon. {7:60} All the Nethinims, and the
children of Solomon’s servants, [were] three hundred ninety
and two. {7:61} And these [were] they which went up [also]
from Telmelah, Telharesha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but
they could not shew their father’s house, nor their seed,
whether they [were] of Israel. {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 Habaiah, the
children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took [one]
of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was
called after their name. {7:64} These sought their register
[among] those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was
not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the
priesthood. {7:65} And the Tirshatha said unto them, that
they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood
[up] a priest with Urim and Thummim.
{7:66} The whole congregation together [was] forty and
two thousand three hundred and threescore, {7:67} Beside
their manservants and their maidservants, of whom [there
were] seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and
they had two hundred forty and five singing men and
singing women. {7:68} Their horses, seven hundred thirty
and six: their mules, two hundred forty and five: {7:69}
[Their] camels, four hundred thirty and five: six thousand
seven hundred and twenty asses.
{7:70} And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the
work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams
of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests’
garments. {7:71} And [some] of the chief of the fathers
gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of
gold, and two thousand and two hundred pounds of silver.
{7:72} And [that] which the rest of the people gave [was]
twenty thousand drams 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 Nethinims, and
all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month
came, the children of Israel [were] in their cities.
8 {8:1} And all the people gathered themselves together as
one man into the street that [was] before the water gate; and
they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law
of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. {8:2}
And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation
both of men and women, and all that could hear with
understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
{8:3} And he read therein before the street that [was] before
the water gate from the morning until midday, before the
men and the women, and those that could understand; and
the ears of all the people [were attentive] unto the book of
the law. {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 Urijah, and
Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left
hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum,
and Hashbadana, Zechariah, [and] Meshullam. {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 the LORD, the
great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with
lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and
worshipped the LORD with [their] faces to the ground.
{8:7} Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub,
Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad,
Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to
understand the law: and the people [stood] in their place.
{8:8} So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly,
and gave the sense, and caused [them] to understand the
reading.
{8:9} And Nehemiah, which [is] the Tirshatha, and Ezra
the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people,
said unto all the people, This day [is] holy unto the LORD
your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept,
when they heard the words of the law. {8:10} Then he said
unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet,
and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared:
for [this] day [is] holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry;
for the joy of the LORD is your strength. {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
chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the
Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words
of the law. {8:14} And they found written in the law which
the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of
Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh
month: {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 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 forth, and brought [them,] and
made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his
house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of
God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of
the gate of Ephraim. {8:17} And all the congregation of
them that were come again out of the captivity made booths,
and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the
son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done
so. And there was very great gladness. {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 manner.
9 {9:1} Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month
the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with
sackclothes, and earth upon them. {9:2} And the seed of
Israel separated themselves from all strangers, 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 the LORD their God [one] fourth part of the
day; and [another] fourth part they confessed, and
worshipped the LORD 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 the
LORD their God. {9:5} Then the Levites, Jeshua, and
Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah,
[and] Pethahiah, said, Stand up [and] bless the LORD your
God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name,
which is exalted above all blessing and praise. {9:6} Thou,
[even] thou, [art] LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the
heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all
[things] that [are] therein, the seas, and all that [is] therein,
and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven
worshippeth thee. {9:7} Thou [art] the LORD the God, who
didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of
the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham; {9:8}
And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a
covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the
Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites,
and the Girgashites, to give [it, I say,] to his seed, and hast
performed thy words; for thou [art] righteous: {9:9} And
didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest
their cry by the Red sea; {9:10} And shewedst signs and
wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all
the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt
proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as [it
is] this day. {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 persecutors thou threwest into the deeps,
as a stone into the mighty waters. {9:12} Moreover thou
leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night
by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they
should go. {9:13} Thou camest down also upon mount
Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them
right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and
commandments: {9:14} And madest known unto them thy
holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and
laws, by the hand of 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
promisedst 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 necks, 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 necks, and in their rebellion
appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou [art]
a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to
anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
{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 the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead
them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew
them light, and the way wherein they should go. {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, [so that] they lacked
nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled
not. {9:22} Moreover thou gavest them kingdoms and
nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they
possessed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of
Heshbon, and the land of Og king of Bashan. {9:23} Their
children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and
broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst
promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess
[it.] {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 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
digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in
abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat,
and delighted themselves in thy great goodness. {9:26}
Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against
thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy
prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee,
and they wrought great provocations. {9:27} Therefore thou
deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed
them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto
thee, thou heardest [them] from heaven; and according to
thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved
them out of the hand of their enemies. {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 [them] 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 thy
judgments, (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 forbear them,
and testifiedst against them by thy spirit in thy prophets: yet
would they not give ear: therefore gavest thou them into the
hand of the people of the lands. {9:31} Nevertheless for thy
great mercies’ sake thou didst not utterly consume 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 mercy, let not
all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon
us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on
our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since
the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day. {9:33}
Howbeit thou [art] just in all that is brought upon us; for
thou hast done right, 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 [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 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 sure [covenant,] and write [it;] and our princes,
Levites, [and] priests, seal [unto it.]
10 {10:1} Now those that sealed [were,] Nehemiah,
the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and 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 brethren,
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, Pahath-moab, 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
unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their
daughters, every one having knowledge, and having
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 the LORD
our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes; {10:30} And
that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the
land, nor 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 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 shewbread, and for the continual
meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the
sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the
holy [things,] and for the sin offerings to make an
atonement for Israel, and [for] all the work of the house of
our God. {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 God, after the houses of our
fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the
altar of the LORD our God, as [it is] written in the law:
{10:35} And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the
firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the
house of the LORD: {10:36} Also the firstborn of our sons,
and of our cattle, as [it is] written in the law, and the
firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the
house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house
of our God: {10:37} And [that] we should bring the
firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of
all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to
the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our
ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have
the tithes in all the cities of our tillage. {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 offering of the corn,
of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where [are]
the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister,
and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the
house of our God.
11 {11:1} And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem:
the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to
dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts [to dwell] in
[other] cities. {11:2} And the people blessed all the men,
that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
{11:3} Now these [are] the chief of the province that
dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every
one in his possession in their cities, [to wit,] Israel, the
priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children
of Solomon’s servants. {11:4} And at Jerusalem dwelt
[certain] of the children of Judah, and of the children of
Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of
Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of
Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez;
{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 dwelt at 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 Jesaiah. {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 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 God. {11:12} And
their brethren that did the work of the house [were] eight
hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham,
the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah,
the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah, {11:13} And his
brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two:
and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son
of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, {11:14} And their
brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and
eight: and their overseer [was] Zabdiel, the son of [one of]
the great men. {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 God. {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 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 the gates, [were] an
hundred seventy and two.
{11:20} And the residue of Israel, of the priests, [and] the
Levites, [were] in all the cities of Judah, every one in his
inheritance. {11:21} But the Nethinims dwelt 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 God. {11:23} For [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
dwelt at Kirjath-arba, and [in] the villages thereof, and at
Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and [in]
the villages thereof, {11:26} And at Jeshua, and at
Moladah, and at Beth-phelet, {11:27} And at Hazar-shual,
and at Beer-sheba, and [in] the villages thereof, {11:28}
And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof,
{11:29} And at En-rimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth,
{11:30} Zanoah, Adullam, and [in] their villages, at
Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and [in] the
villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beer-sheba unto the
valley of Hinnom. {11:31} The children also of Benjamin
from Geba [dwelt] 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 {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, and Joiarib, Jedaiah, {12:7} Sallu, Amok,
Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These [were] the chief of the priests and of
their brethren in the days of Jeshua. {12:8} Moreover the
Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, [and]
Mattaniah, [which was] over the thanksgiving, he and his
brethren. {12:9} Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren,
[were] over against them in the watches.
{12:10} And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also 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, 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 the 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 brethren over against them, to praise [and] to give
thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of
God, ward over against ward. {12:25} Mattaniah, and
Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, [were]
porters keeping the ward 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 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
country round about 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
builded them villages round about 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,
[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; [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 brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai,
Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the
musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the
scribe before them. {12:37} And at the fountain gate, which
was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city
of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of
David, even unto the water gate eastward. {12:38} And the
other [company of them that gave] thanks went over against
[them,] and I after them, and the half of the people upon the
wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the
broad wall; {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 unto 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 God, 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: for God had made them rejoice with
great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that
the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.
{12:44} And at that time were some appointed over the
chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the
firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the
fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and
Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites
that waited. {12:45} And both the singers and the porters
kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification,
according to the commandment of David, [and] of Solomon
his son. {12:46} For in the days of David and Asaph of old
[there were] chief of the singers, and songs of praise and
thanksgiving unto God. {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 sanctified [holy things] unto the Levites;
and the Levites sanctified [them] unto the children of Aaron.
13 {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; {13:2} Because they met not
the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired
Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit
our God turned the curse into a blessing. {13:3} Now it
came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they
separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
{13:4} And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the
oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, [was]
allied unto Tobiah: {13:5} And he had prepared for him a
great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings,
the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn,
the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded [to be
given] to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and
the offerings of the priests. {13:6} But in all this [time] was
not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of
Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after
certain days obtained I leave of the king: {13:7} And I came
to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for
Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the
house of God. {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 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 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 corn 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 office [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 offices thereof.
{13:15} In those days saw I in Judah [some] treading
winepresses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and
lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all [manner
of] burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the
sabbath day: and I testified [against them] in the day
wherein they sold victuals. {13:16} There dwelt men of
Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of
ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah,
and in Jerusalem. {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 gates should be shut, and
charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath:
and [some] of my servants set I at the gates, [that] there
should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. {13:20}
So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware 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 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.
{13:23} In those days also saw I Jews [that] had married
wives 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 unto 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 God, and God made him king over all
Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause
to sin. {13:27} Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this
great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange
wives? {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 strangers,
and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites,
every one in his business; {13:31} And for the wood
offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits.
Remember me, O my God, for good.