|
Nehemiah 13
1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the
people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should
not come into the congregation of God for ever;
2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with
water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God
turned the curse into a blessing.
3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they
separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
4 And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the
chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:
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.
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:
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.
8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household
stuff to Tobiah out of the chamber.
9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither
brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the
frankincense.
10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been
given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every
one to his field.
11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of
God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine
and the oil unto the treasuries.
13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest,
and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan
the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and
their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good
deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.
15 In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the
sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and
figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the
sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
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.
17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them,
What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
18 Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this
evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by
profaning the sabbath.
19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to
be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the 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.
20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without
Jerusalem once or twice.
21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye
about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth
came they no more on the sabbath.
22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves,
and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day.
Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the
greatness of thy mercy.
23 In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod,
of Ammon, and of Moab:
24 And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could
not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.
25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of
them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall
not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your
sons, or for yourselves.
26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among
many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God
made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause
to sin.
27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to
transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?
28 And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high
priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from
me.
29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the
priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
30 Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards
of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;
31 And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the
firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
|