¶THE WORDS OF Ne-he-mi′-ah the son of Hach-a-li′-ah. And it came to pass in the month (of) Chis′-leu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shu′-shan the palace,
- That Ha-na′-ni, 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.
- 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.
- ¶ 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 (the third) heaven,
- And said, I beseech thee, O ⟨Lord⟩ ⟨God⟩ of (the third) heaven, the great and terrible
⇑ ⟨God⟩, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:
- 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, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned.
- 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.
- Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:
- 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 (first) heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.
- Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.
- 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 thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.
Chapter Two
¶ AND IT CAME TO pass in the month (of) Ni′-san, in the twentieth year of Ar-tax-erx′-es the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king.
- 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,
- 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?
- Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the ⟨God⟩ of (the third) heaven.
- 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 (re)build it.
- 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.
- Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the (Eu-phra′-tes) river, they they may convey me over till I come into Judah;
- And a letter unto A′-saph 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.
- ¶ Then I came to the governors beyond the (Eu-phra′-tes) river, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.
- When San-bal′-lat the Hor′-o-nite, and To-bi′-ah the servant, the Am′-mon-ite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
- ¶ So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days.
- ¶ 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- ¶ 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.⇑
- 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.
- But when San-bal′-lat the Hor′-o-nite, and To-bi′-ah the servant, the Am′-mon-ite, and Ge′-shem the A-ra′-bi-an, 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?
- Then answered I them, and said unto them, The ⟨God⟩ of (the third) heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
Chapter Three
¶THEN E-LI′-A-SHIB 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 Me′-ah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Ha-nan′-e-el.
- And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zac′-cur the son of Im′-ri.
- But the fish gate did the sons of Has-se-na′-ah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars⇑ thereof.
- And next unto them repaired Mer′-e-moth the son of U-ri′-jah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Me-shul′-lam the son of Ber-e-chi′-ah, the son of Me-shez′-a-beel. And next unto them repaired Za′-dok the son of Ba′-a-na.
- And next unto them the Te-ko′-ites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their ⟨Lord⟩.
- Moreover the old gate repaired Je-hoi′-a-da the son of Pa-se′-ah, and Me-shul′-lam the son of Bes-o-de′-iah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars⇑ thereof.
- And next unto them repaired Mel-a-ti′-ah the Gib′-e-on-ite, and Ja′-don the Me-ron′-o-thite, the men of Gib′-e-on, and of Miz′-pah, unto the throne of the governor on this side (of) the (Eu-phra′-tes) river.
- Next unto him repaired Uz-zi′-el the son of Har-ha′-iah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Han-a-ni′-ah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall.
- And next unto them repaired Re-pha′-iah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
- And next unto them repaired Je-da′-iah the son of Ha-ru′-maph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hat′-tush the son of Hash-ab-ni′-ah.
- Mal-chi′-jah the son of Ha′-rim, and Ha′-shub the son of Pa′-hath–mo′-ab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.
- And next unto him repaired Shal′-lum the son of Ha-lo′-hesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
- The valley gate repaired Ha′-nun, and the inhabitants of Za-no′-ah; 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.
- But the dung gate repaired Mal-chi′-ah the son of Re′-chab, the ruler of part of Beth–hac′-ce-rem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars⇑ thereof.
- But the gate of the fountain repaired Shal′-lun the son of Col-ho′-zeh, the ruler of part of Miz′-pah; 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 Si-lo′-ah by the king’s garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.
- After him repaired Ne-he-mi′-ah the son of Az′-buk, 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.
- After him repaired the Levites, Re′-hum the son of Ba′-ni. Next unto him repaired Hash-a-bi′-ah, the ruler of the half part of Kei′-lah, in his part.
- After him repaired their brethren, Ba′-vai the son of Hen′-a-dad, the ruler of the half part of Kei′-lah.
- And next to him repaired E′-zer the son of Jesh′-u-a, the ruler of Miz′-pah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.
- After him Ba′-ruch the son of Zab′-bai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of E-li′-a-shib the high priest.
- After him repaired Mer′-e-moth the son of U-ri′-jah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of E-li′-a-shib even to the end of the house of E-li′-a-shib.
- And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.
- After him repaired Benjamin and Ha′-shub over against their house. After him repaired Az-a-ri′-ah the son of Ma-a-se′-iah the son of An-a-ni′-ah by his house.
- After him repaired Bin′-nu-i the son of Hen′-a-dad another piece, from the house of Az-a-ri′-ah unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner.
- Pa′-lal the son of U′-zai, 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 Pe-da′-iah the son of Pa′-rosh.
- Moreover the Neth′-i-nims dwelt in O′-phel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.
- After them the Te-ko′-ites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of O′-phel.
- From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.
- After them repaired Za′-dok the son of Im′-mer over against his house. After him repaired also She-ma′-iah the son of Shech-a-ni′-ah, the keeper of the east gate.
- After him repaired Han-a-ni′-ah the son of Shel-e-mi′-ah, and Ha′-nun the sixth son of Za′-laph, another piece. After him repaired Me-shul′-lam the son of Ber-e-chi′-ah over against his chamber.⇑
- After him repaired Mal-chi′-ah the goldsmith’s son unto the place of the Neth′-i-nims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miph′-kad, and to the going up of the corner.
- And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.
Chapter Four
¶ BUT IT CAME TO pass, that when San-bal′-lat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth,⇑ and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
- And he spake before his brethren and the army of Sa-ma′-ri-a, 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?
- Now To-bi′-ah the Am′-mon-ite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox⇑ go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
- 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:
- 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.
- So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
- ¶ But it came to pass, that when San-bal′-lat, and To-bi′-ah, and the A-ra′-bi-ans, and the Am′-mon-ites, and the Ash′-dod-ites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,⇑
- And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
- Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our ⟨God⟩, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
- 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.
- 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.
- ¶ 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.
- ¶ 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
- ¶ 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.
- In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our ⟨God⟩ shall fight for us.
- So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
- 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.
- 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.
Chapter Five
¶ AND THERE WAS A great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
- For there were (those) that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn⇑ for them, that we may eat, and live.
- Some (others) also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.⇑
- There were also (others as well) that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
- 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.
- ¶ And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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?
- I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
- Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.
- 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.
- 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, A ′-men,⇑ and praised the ⟨Lord⟩. And the people did according to this promise. (See also: Acts 18:6)
- ¶ 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 Ar-tax-erx′-es the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
- But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto⇑ the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shek′-els of silver;⇑ yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of ⟨God⟩.
- 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.
- Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers,[150]beside those that came unto us from among the heathen⇑ that are about us.
- Now that which was prepared for me (and the aforementioned 150) 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.
- Think upon me, my ⟨God⟩, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
Chapter Six
¶ NOW IT CAME TO pass, when San-bal′-lat, and To-bi′-ah, and Ge′-shem the A-ra′-bi-an, 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;)
- That San-bal′-lat and Ge′-shem sent (messengers) unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of O′-no. But they thought to do me mischief.
- And I sent (their) messengers (back) 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?
- Yet they sent (their messengers) unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
- ¶ Then sent San-bal′-lat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
- Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen,⇑ and Gash′-mu⇑ (the A-ra′-bi-an) 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.
- 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.
- Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest⇑ them out of thine own heart.
- 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.
- Afterward I came unto the house of She-ma′-iah the son of De-la′-iah the son of Me-het′-a-beel, 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.
- And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as⇑ I am (before our Creator), would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
- And, lo, I perceived that ⟨God⟩ had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for To-bi′-ah and San-bal′-lat had hired him.
- 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.
- My ⟨God⟩, think thou upon To-bi′-ah and San-bal′-lat according to these their works, and on the prophetess No-a-di′-ah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.
- ¶ So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month (of) E′-lul, in fifty and two days.
- 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⟩.
- ¶ Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto To-bi′-ah, and the letters of To-bi′-ah came unto them.
- For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shech-a-ni′-ah, the son of A′-rah; and his son Jo-ha′-nan had taken the daughter of Me-shul′-lam the son of Ber-e-chi′-ah.
- Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And To-bi′-ah sent letters to put me in fear.
Chapter Seven
¶ 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,
- That I gave my brother Ha-na′-ni, and Han-a-ni′-ah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared ⟨God⟩ above many.
- 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.
- ¶ Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded.
- ¶ 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 of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,
- These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Neb-u-chad-nez′-zar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;
- Who came with Ze-rub′-ba-bel: Jesh′-u-a, Ne-he-mi′-ah, Az-a-ri′-ah,⇑ Ra-a-mi′-ah,⇑ Na-ham′-a-ni, Mor′-de-cai, Bil′-shan, Mis′-pe-reth,⇑ Big′-vai, Ne′-hum,⇑ Ba′-a-nah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this;
- The children of Pa′-rosh, two thousand an hundred seventy and two.[2,172]
- The children of Sheph-a-ti′-ah, three hundred seventy and two.[372]
- The children of A′-rah, six hundred fifty and two.[652]
- The children of Pa′-hath–mo′-ab of the children of Jesh′-u-a and Jo′-ab, two thousand eight hundred and eighteen.[2,818]
- The children of E′-lam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.[1,254]
- The children of Zat′-tu, eight hundred forty and five.[845]
- The children of Zac′-cai, seven hundred and threescore.[760]
- The children of Bin′-nu-i,⇑ six hundred forty and eight.[648]
- The children of Be′-bai, six hundred twenty and eight.[628]
- The children of Az′-gad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two.[2,322]
- The children of A-don′-i-kam, six hundred threescore and seven.[667]
- The children of Big′-vai, two thousand threescore and seven.[2,067]
- The children of A′-din, six hundred fifty and five.[655]
- The children of A′-ter of Hez-e-ki′-ah, ninety and eight.[98]
- The children of Ha′-shum, three hundred twenty and eight.[328]
- The children of Be′-zai, three hundred twenty and four.[324]
- The children of Ha′-riph, an hundred and twelve.[112]
- The children of Gib′-e-on,⇑ ninety and five.[95]
- The men of Beth′–le-hem and Ne-to′-phah, an hundred fourscore and eight.[188]
- The men of An′-a-thoth, an hundred twenty and eight.[128]
- The men of Beth–az′-ma-veth, forty and two.[42]
- The men of Kir′-jath–je′-a-rim, Che-phi′-rah, and Be-e′-roth, seven hundred forty and three.[743]
- The men of Ra′-mah and Ga′-ba, six hundred twenty and one.[621]
- The men of Mich′-mas, an hundred twenty and two.[122]
- The men of Beth′–el and A′-i, an hundred twenty and three.[123]
- The men of the other Ne′-bo, fifty and two.[52]
- The children of the other E′-lam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.[1,254]
- The children of Ha′-rim, three hundred and twenty.[320]
- The children of Jer′-i-cho, three hundred forty and five.[345]
- The children of Lod, Ha′-did, and O′-no, seven hundred twenty and one.[721]
- The children of Se-na′-ah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.[3,930]
- ¶ The priests: the children of Je-da′-iah, of the house of Jesh′-u-a, nine hundred seventy and three.[973]
- The children of Im′-mer, a thousand fifty and two.[1,052]
- The children of Pash′-ur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven.[1,247]
- The children of Ha′-rim, a thousand and seventeen.[1,017]
- ¶ The Levites: the children of Jesh′-u-a and Kad′-mi-el, and of the children of Ho-de′-vah,⇑ seventy and four.[74]
- ¶ The singers: the children of A′-saph, an hundred forty and eight.[148]
- ¶ The porters:⇑ the children of Shal′-lum, the children of A′-ter, the children of Tal′-mon, the children of Ak′-kub, the children of Hat′-i-ta, the children of Sho′-bai, an hundred thirty and eight.[138]
- ¶ The Neth′-i-nims: the children of Zi′-ha, the children of Ha-shu′-pha, the children of Tab′-ba-oth,
- The children of Ke′-ros, the children of Si′-a,⇑ the children of Pa′-don,
- The children of Leb′-a-na(h), the children of Hag′-a-ba(h), the children of Shal′-mai,
- The children of Ha′-nan, the children of Gid′-del, the children of Ga′-har,
- The children of Re-a′-iah, the children of Re′-zin, the children of Ne-ko′-da,
- The children of Gaz′-zam, the children of Uz′-za, the children of Pha-se′-ah,
- The children of Be′-sai, the children of Me-u′-nim, the children of Ne-phish′-e-sim,
- The children of Bak′-kuk, the children of Ha-ku′-pha, the children of Har′-hur,
- The children of Baz′-lith, the children of Me-hi′-da, the children of Har′-sha,
- The children of Bar′-kos, the children of Sis′-e-ra, the children of Ta′-mah,
- The children of Ne-zi′-ah, the children of Hat′-i-pha.
- ¶ The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of So′-tai, the children of Soph′-e-reth, the children of Pe-ri′-da,⇑
- The children of Ja-a′-la, the children of Dar′-kon, the children of Gid′-del,
- The children of Sheph-a-ti′-ah, the children of Hat′-til, the children of Poch′-e-reth of Ze-ba′-im, the children of Amon.
- All the Neth′-i-nims, and the children of Solomon’s servants, were three hundred ninety and two.[392]
- And these were they which went up also from Tel–me′-lah, Tel–har′-e-sha, Cherub, Ad′-don, and Im′-mer: but they could not shew their father’s house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.
- The children of De-la′-iah, the children of To-bi′-ah, the children of Ne-ko′-da, six hundred forty and two.[642]
- ¶ And of the priests: the children of Ha-ba′-iah, the children of Koz, the children of Bar-zil′-lai, which took one of the daughters of Bar-zil′-lai the Gil′-e-ad-ite to wife, and was called after their name.
- 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.
- And the Tir-sha′-tha⇑ said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with U′-rim and Thum′-mim.⇑
- ¶ The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,[42,360]
- Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven:[7,337]and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.[245]
- Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules, two hundred forty and five:
- Their camels, four hundred thirty and five: six thousand seven hundred and twenty asses.
- ¶ And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tir-sha′-tha⇑ gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold,⇑ fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests’ garments.
- 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.⇑
- 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.
- So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters,⇑ and the singers, and some of the people, and the Neth′-i-nims, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the children of Israel were in their cities.
Chapter Eight
¶ 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mat-ti-thi′-ah, and She′-ma, and A-na′-iah, and U-ri′-jah, and Hil-ki′-ah, and Ma-a-se′-iah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pe-da′-iah, and Mish′-a-el, and Mal-chi′-ah, and Ha′-shum, and Hash-bad′-a-na, Zech-a-ri′-ah, and Me-shul′-lam.
- 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:
- And Ezra blessed the ⟨Lord⟩, the great ⟨God⟩. And all the people answered, A ′-men,⇑ A ′-men,⇑ with⇑ lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the ⟨Lord⟩ with their faces to the ground. [⇒]
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Also Jesh′-u-a, and Ba′-ni, and Sher-e-bi′-ah, Ja′-min, Ak′-kub, Shab′-be-thai, Ho-di′-jah, Ma-a-se′-iah, Kel′-i-ta, Az-a-ri′-ah, Joz′-a-bad, Ha′-nan, Pe-la′-iah, and the Levites caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.
- So they read in the book in the law of ⟨God⟩ distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
- ¶ And Ne-he-mi′-ah, which is the Tir-sha′-tha,⇑ 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.
- 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.
- So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
- 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.
- ¶ 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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 E′-phra-im.
- 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 Jesh′-u-a the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great gladness.
- Also day by 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.
Chapter Nine
¶ 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.
- And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities⇑ of their fathers.
- 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⟩.
- ¶ Then stood up upon the stairs,⇑ of the Levites, Jesh′-u-a, and Ba′-ni, Kad′-mi-el, Sheb-a-ni′-ah, Bun′-ni, Sher-e-bi′-ah, Ba′-ni, and Chen′-a-ni, and cried with a loud voice unto the ⟨Lord⟩ their ⟨God⟩.
- Then the Levites, Jesh′-u-a, and Kad′-mi-el, Ba′-ni, Hash-ab-ni′-ah, Sher-e-bi′-ah, and Peth-a-hi′-ah, 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.
- Thou, even thou, art ⟨Lord⟩ alone; thou hast made (the first) heaven, the (second) 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 (the third) heaven worshippeth thee.
- Thou art the ⟨Lord⟩ the ⟨God⟩, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chal′-dees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;
- And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Ca′-naan-ites, the Hit′-tites, the Am′-o-rites, and the Per′-iz-zites, and the Jeb′-u-sites, and the Gir′-ga-shites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous:
- And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Thou camest down also upon mount Si′-nai, and spakest with them from (the third) heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:
- And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:
- And gavest them bread from (the third) 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.
- But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments,
- 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.
- 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;
- 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.
- Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy man′-na from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst.
- 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.
- Moreover thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, and didst divide them into corners: so they possessed the land of Si′-hon, and the land of the king of Hesh′-bon, and the land of Og⇑ king of Ba′-shan.
- Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of (the second) heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.
- So the children went in and possessed the land, and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the Ca′-naan-ites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 (the third) heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.
- 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 (the third) heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies;
- 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.
- Yet many years didst thou forbear them, and testified 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.
- Nevertheless for thy great mercies’ sake thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful ⟨God⟩.
- 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.
- Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- And because of all this, we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal⇑ unto it.
Chapter Ten
¶ NOW THOSE THAT sealed⇑ were, Ne-he-mi′-ah, the Tir-sha′-tha,⇑ the son of Hach-a-li′-ah, and Zid-ki′-jah,
- Se-ra′-iah, Az-a-ri′-ah, Jer-e-mi′-ah,
- Pash′-ur, Am-a-ri′-ah, Mal-chi′-jah,
- Hat′-tush, Sheb-a-ni′-ah, Mal′-luch,
- Ha′-rim, Mer′-e-moth, O-ba-di′-ah,
- Daniel, Gin′-ne-thon, Ba′-ruch,
- Me-shul′-lam, A-bi′-jah, Mij′-a-min,
- Ma-a-zi′-ah, Bil′-gai, She-ma′-iah: these were the priests.
- And the Levites: both Jesh′-u-a the son of Az-a-ni′-ah, Bin′-nu-i of the sons of Hen′-a-dad, Kad′-mi-el;
- And their brethren, Sheb-a-ni′-ah, Ho-di′-jah, Kel′-i-ta, Pe-la′-iah, Ha′-nan,
- Mi′-cha, Re′-hob, Hash-a-bi′-ah,
- Zac′-cur, Sher-e-bi′-ah, Sheb-a-ni′-ah,
- Ho-di′-jah, Ba′-ni, Ben′-i-nu.
- The chief of the people; Pa′-rosh, Pa′-hath–mo′-ab, E′-lam, Zat′-thu, Ba′-ni,
- Bun′-ni, Az′-gad, Be′-bai,
- Ad-o-ni′-jah, Big′-vai, A′-din,
- A′-ter, Hiz-ki′-jah, Az′-zur,
- Ho-di′-jah, Ha′-shum, Be′-zai,
- Ha′-riph, An′-a-toth, Ne′-bai,
- Mag′-pi-ash, Me-shul′-lam, He′-zir,
- Me-shez′-a-beel, Za′-dok, Jad-du′-a,
- Pel-a-ti′-ah, Ha′-nan, A-na′-iah,
- Ho-she′-a, Han-a-ni′-ah, Ha′-shub,
- Hal-lo′-hesh, Pil′-e-ha, Sho′-bek,
- Re′-hum, Ha-shab′-nah, Ma-a-se′-iah,
- And A-hi′-jah, Ha′-nan, A′-nan,
- Mal′-luch, Ha′-rim, Ba′-a-nah.[84]
- ¶ And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters,⇑ the singers, the Neth′-i-nims, 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;
- 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;
- And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:
- 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.
- Also we made ordinances for us, to charge⇑ ourselves yearly with the third part of a shek′-el⇑ for the service of the house of our ⟨God⟩;
- For the shew⇑bread, 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 atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our ⟨God⟩.
- 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:
- 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⟩:
- Also the firstborn of our sons (for service in the temple), 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⟩:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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⟩.
Chapter Eleven
¶ 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.
- And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
- ¶ 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 Neth′-i-nims, and the children of Solomon’s servants.
- And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Ath-a-i′-ah the son of Uz-zi′-ah, the son of Zech-a-ri′-ah, the son of Am-a-ri′-ah, the son of Sheph-a-ti′-ah, the son of Ma-ha′-la-le-el, of the children of Pe′-rez;
- And Ma-a-se′-iah the son of Ba′-ruch, the son of Col-ho′-zeh, the son of Ha-za′-iah, the son of A-da′-iah, the son of Joi′-a-rib, the son of Zech-a-ri′-ah, the son of Shi-lo′-ni.
- All the sons of Pe′-rez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.[468]
- And these are the sons of Benjamin; Sal′-lu the son of Me-shul′-lam, the son of Jo′-ed, the son of Pe-da′-iah, the son of Ko-la′-iah, the son of Ma-a-se′-iah, the son of Ith′-i-el, the son of Je-sa′-iah.
- And after him Gab′-bai, Sal′-lai, nine hundred twenty and eight.[928]
- And Jo′-el the son of Zich′-ri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Sen-u′-ah was second over the city.
- Of the priests: Je-da′-iah the son of Joi′-a-rib, Ja′-chin.
- Se-ra′-iah the son of Hil-ki′-ah, the son of Me-shul′-lam, the son of Za′-dok, the son of Me-ra′-ioth, the son of A-hi′-tub, was the ruler of the house of ⟨God⟩.
- And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two:[822]and A-da′-iah the son of Jer′-o-ham, the son of Pel-a-li′-ah, the son of Am′-zi, the son of Zech-a-ri′-ah, the son of Pash′-ur, the son of Mal-chi′-ah,
- And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two:[242]and Am′-a-shai the son of A-zar′-e-el, the son of A′-ha-sai, the son of Me-shil′-le-moth, the son of Im′-mer,
- And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight:[128]and their overseer was Zab′-di-el, the son of one of the great men.
- Also of the Levites: She-ma′-iah the son of Ha′-shub, the son of Az-ri′-kam, the son of Hash-a-bi′-ah, the son of Bun′-ni;
- And Shab′-be-thai and Joz′-a-bad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of ⟨God⟩.
- And Mat-ta-ni′-ah the son of Mi′-cha, the son of Zab′-di, the son of A′-saph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bak-bu-ki′-ah the second among his brethren, and Ab′-da the son of Sham-mu′-a, the son of Ga′-lai, the son of Je-du′-thun.
- All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four.[284]
- Moreover the porters,⇑ Ak′-kub, Tal′-mon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two.[172]
- ¶ And the residue⇑ of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance.
- But the Neth′-i-nims dwelt in O′-phel: and Zi′-ha and Gis′-pa were over the Neth′-i-nims.
- The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uz′-zi the son of Ba′-ni, the son of Hash-a-bi′-ah, the son of Mat-ta-ni′-ah, the son of Mi′-cha. Of the sons of A′-saph, the singers were over the business⇑ of the house of ⟨God⟩.
- For it was the king’s commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.
- And Peth-a-hi′-ah the son of Me-shez′-a-beel, of the children of Ze′-rah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people.
- And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kir′-jath–ar′-ba, and in the villages thereof, and at Di′-bon, and in the villages thereof, and at Je-kab′-ze-el, and in the villages thereof,
- And at Jesh′-u-a, and at Mol′-a-dah, and at Beth–phe′-let,
- And at Ha′-zar–shu′-al, and at Be′-er–she′-ba, and in the villages thereof,
- And at Zik′-lag, and at Me-ko′-nah, and in the villages thereof,
- And at En–rim′-mon, and at Za′-re-ah, and at Jar′-muth,
- Za-no′-ah, A-dul′-lam, and in their villages, at La′-chish, and the fields thereof, at A-ze′-kah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Be′-er–she′-ba unto the valley of Hin′-nom.
- The children also of Benjamin from Ge′-ba dwelt at Mich′-mash, and Ai′-ja, and Beth′–el, and in their villages,
- And at An′-a-thoth, Nob, An-a-ni′-ah,
- Ha′-zor, Ra′-mah, Git′-ta-im,
- Ha′-did, Ze-bo′-im, Ne-bal′-lat,
- Lod, and O′-no, the valley of craftsmen.
- And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.
Chapter Twelve
¶ NOW THESE ARE the priests and the Levites that went up with Ze-rub′-ba-bel the son of She-al′-ti-el, and Jesh′-u-a; Se-ra′-iah, Jer-e-mi′-ah, Ezra,
- Am-a-ri′-ah, Mal′-luch,⇑ Hat′-tush,
- Shech-a-ni′-ah, Re′-hum, Mer′-e-moth,
- Id′-do, Gin′-ne-tho, A-bi′-jah,
- Mi′-a-min, Ma-a-di′-ah, Bil′-gah,
- She-ma′-iah, and Joi′-a-rib, Je-da′-iah,
- Sal′-lu, A′-mok, Hil-ki′-ah, Je-da′-iah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jesh′-u-a.
- Moreover the Levites: Jesh′-u-a, Bin′-nu-i, Kad′-mi-el, Sher-e-bi′-ah, Judah, and Mat-ta-ni′-ah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.
- Also Bak-bu-ki′-ah and Un′-ni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches.
- ¶ And Jesh′-u-a begat Joi′-a-kim, Joi′-a-kim also begat E-li′-a-shib, and E-li′-a-shib begat Joi′-a-da.
- And Joi′-a-da begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jad-du′-a.
- And in the days of Joi′-a-kim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Se-ra′-iah, Me-ra′-iah; of Jer-e-mi′-ah, Ha-a-ni′-ah;
- Of Ezra, Me-shul′-lam; of Am-a-ri′-ah, Je-ho-ha′-nan;
- Of Mel′-i-cu, Jonathan; of Sheb-a-ni′-ah, Joseph;
- Of Ha′-rim, Ad′-na; of Me-ra′-ioth, Hel′-kai;
- Of Id′-do, Zech-a-ri′-ah; of Gin′-ne-thon, Me-shul′-lam;
- Of A-bi′-jah, Zich′-ri; of Mi-ni′-a-min, of Mo-a-di′-ah, Pil′-tai;
- Of Bil′-gah, Smam-mu′-a; of She-ma′-iah, Je-hon′-a-than;
- And of Joi′-a-rib, Mat-te′-nai; of Je-da′-iah, Uz′-zi;
- Of Sal′-lai, Kal′-lai; of A′-mok, E′-ber;
- Of Hil-ki′-ah, Hash-a-bi′-ah; of Je-da′-iah, Ne-than′-e-el.
- ¶ The Levites in the days of E-li′-a-shib, Joi′-a-da, and Jo-ha′-nan, and Jad-du′-a, were recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Da-ri′-us the Persian.
- The sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Jo-ha′-nan the son of E-li′-a-shib.
- And the chief of the Levites: Hash-a-bi′-ah, Sher-e-bi′-ah, and Jesh′-u-a the son of Kad′-mi-el, 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.
- Mat-ta-ni′-ah, and Bak-bu-ki′-ah, O-ba-di′-ah, Me-shul′-lam, Tal′-mon, Ak′-kub, were porters⇑ keeping the ward at the thresholds⇑ of the gates.
- These were in the days of Joi′-a-kim the son of Jesh′-u-a, the son of Joz′-a-dak, and in the days of Ne-he-mi′-ah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.
- ¶ 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.
- And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Ne-toph′-a-thi;
- Also from the house of Gil′-gal, and out of the fields of Ge′-ba and Az′-ma-veth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem.
- And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.
- 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:
- And after them went Ho-sha′-iah, and half of the princes of Judah,
- And Az-a-ri′-ah, Ezra, and Me-shul′-lam,
- Judah, and Benjamin, and She-ma′-iah, and Jer-e-mi′-ah,
- And certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets; namely, Zech-a-ri′-ah the son of Jonathan, the son of She-ma′-iah, the son of Mat-ta-ni′-ah, the son of Mi-cha′-iah, the son of Zac′-cur, the son of A′-saph:
- And his brethren, She-ma′-iah, and A-zar′-a-el, Mil′-a-lai, Gil′-a-lai, Ma′-ai, Ne-than′-e-el, and Judah, Ha-na′-ni, with the musical instruments of David the man of ⟨God⟩, and Ezra the scribe before them.
- 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.
- 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;
- And from above the gate of E′-phra-im, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Ha-nan′-e-el, and the tower of Me′-ah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.
- 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:
- And the priests; E-li′-a-kim, Ma-a-sei′-ah, Mi-ni′-a-min, Mi-cha′-iah, E-li-o-e′-nai, Zech-a-ri′-ah, and Han-a-ni′-ah, with trumpets;
- And Ma-a-se′-iah, and She-ma′-iah, and E-le-a′-zar, and Uz′-zi, and Je-ho-ha′-nan, and Mal-chi′-jah, and E′-lam, and E′-zer. And the singers sang loud, with Jez-ra-hi′-ah their overseer.
- 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.
- ¶ 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.
- And both the singers and the porters⇑ kept the ward of their ⟨God⟩, and the ward of the purication, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.
- For in the days of David and A′-saph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto ⟨God⟩.
- And all Israel in the days of Ze-rub′-ba-bel, and in the days of Ne-he-mi′-ah, 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.
Chapter Thirteen
¶ ON THAT DAY THEY read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Am′-mon-ite and the Mo′-ab-ite should not come into the congregation of ⟨God⟩ for ever;
- Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Ba′-laam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our ⟨God⟩ turned the curse into a blessing.
- Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
- ¶ And before (all) this, E-li′-a-shib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber⇑ of the house of our ⟨God⟩, was allied unto To-bi′-ah:
- 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.
- But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Ar-tax-erx′-es king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained⇑ I leave of the king:
- And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that E-li′-a-shib did for To-bi′-ah, in preparing him a chamber⇑ in the courts of the house of ⟨God⟩.
- And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of To-bi′-ah out of the chamber.⇑
- 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.
- ¶ 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.
- 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.
- Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
- And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shel-e-mi′-ah the priest, and Za′-dok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pe-da′-iah: and next to them was Ha′-nan the son of Zac′-cur, the son of Mat-ta-ni′-ah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
- 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.
- ¶ 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.
- There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware(s), and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
- 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?
- 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.
- 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.
- So the merchants and sellers of all kind(s) of ware⇑ lodged⇑ without Jerusalem once or twice.
- 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.
- 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.
- ¶ In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ash′-dod, of Am′-mon, and of Moab:
- And their children spake half in the speech of Ash′-dod, and could not speak in the Jews’ language, but according to the language of each people.
- 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.
- 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.
- Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our ⟨God⟩ in marrying strange wives?
- And one of the sons of Joi′-a-da, the son of E-li′-a-shib the high priest, was son in law to San-bal′-lat the Hor′-o-nite: therefore I chased him from me.
- Remember them, O my ⟨God⟩, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
- Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;
- And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my ⟨God⟩, for good.
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