Nehemiah 13 · נחמיה

On that day they read in the book of Moshe in the hearing of the people; and therein was found written, that the ῾Ammonite and the Mo᾽avite should not come into the congregation of God forever;

because they did not meet the children of Yisra᾽el with bread and with water, but hired Bil῾am against them, that he should curse them: but our God turned the curse into a blessing.

Now it came to pass, when they had heard that Tora, that they separated from Yisra᾽el all the mixed multitude.

And before this, Elyashiv the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God; being allied to Toviyya,

prepared for him a great chamber, where they had previously put the meal offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, and the singers, and the gatekeepers; and the heave offerings of the priests.

But in all this time I was not at Yerushalayim: for in the thirty second year of Artaĥshasta king of Bavel, I came to the king, and after certain days I obtained leave of the king:

and I came to Yerushalayim, and understood of the evil that Elyashiv did for Toviyya, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.

And it vexed me very much: so I cast all the household articles of Toviyya out of the chamber.

Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and I brought back there the vessels of the house of God, with the meal offerings and the frankincense.

And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, who did the work, were fled everyone to his field.

Then I contended with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

Then all Yehuda brought the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil to the treasuries.

And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemya the priest, and Żadoq the scribe, and of the Levites Pedaya: and next to them was Ḥanan the son of Zakkur, the son of Mattanya: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute to their brethren.

Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its service.

In those days I saw in Yehuda some treading winepresses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves of corn, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Yerushalayim on the sabbath day: and I forewarned them on the day on which they sold food.

There dwelt men of Żor there also, who brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath to the children of Yehuda, and in Yerushalayim.

Then I contended with the nobles of Yehuda, and said to them, What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the sabbath day?

Did not your father do thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? and yet you bring more wrath upon Yisra᾽el by profaning the sabbath.

And it came to pass, that when the gates of Yerushalayim began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and I set some of my servants at the gates, so that no burden should be brought in on the sabbath day.

So the merchants and sellers of all kinds of ware lodged outside Yerushalayim once or twice.

Then I forewarned them, and said to them, Why do you lodge about the wall? if you do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time on, they came no more on the sabbath.

And I commanded the Levites, that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and guard the gates, to keep the sabbath day holy. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to Thy abundant love.

In those days also I saw Jews who had married wives of Ashdod, of ῾Ammon, and of Mo᾽av:

and their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the language of Yehuda, but according to the language of various other peoples.

And I contended with them, and cursed them, and beat some of them, and pulled out their hair, and made them take oath by God, saying, You shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters to your sons, or for yourselves.

Did not Shelomo king of Yisra᾽el sin by these things? and even though among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Yisra᾽el: nevertheless the foreign women caused even him to sin.

Shall we then hearken to you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying foreign wives?

And one of the sons of Yoyada, the son of Elyashiv the high priest, was son in law to Sanvallat the Ḥoronite: 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 I cleansed them from all foreigners, and appointed duty watches for the priests and the Levites, everyone in his business;

and for the wood offering, at the times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.