{N}HOW NEHEMIAH FELT CALLED{/}

{1}1{/}

[\u0095]_{R}_{I}1_{/}The words of Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah. In the month of 
Chislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, I was in the 
Citadel of Susa when {R}_{I}2_{/}Hanani, one of my brothers, came with 
some men from Judah. I asked them about the Jewish survivors who 
had returned from exile and about Jerusalem.
{R}_{I}3_{/}They answered me, "The people now live there in the province, 
in the midst of great poverty and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is 
broken down and its gates burned."
{R}_{I}4_{/}When I heard these words, I sat down, wept and mourned for 
days. I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. {R}_{I}5_{/}And I 
said,
"O Yahweh, God of heaven, you are fearsome and great. You keep 
your covenant and your kindness towards those who love you and 
fulfill your commandments. {R}_{I}6_{/}May your ears be attentive and 
your eyes open to listen to the prayer of your servant!
I am now in your presence day and night, for your servants, the 
children of Israel. I confess to you the sins we children of 
Israel have committed against you: I myself and the family of my 
father have sinned. {I}7_{/}We have acted very badly. We did not 
fulfill your commandments, laws and instructions which you gave to 
your servant Moses.

{I}8_{/}But remember, too, what you said to Moses: If you are not 
faithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. {I}9_{/}But if 
you fulfill my commandments and put them into practice, I shall 
again lead you back to the place where I have chosen to dwell. I 
shall gather you, though you be dispersed to the ends of the 
world.
{I}10_{/}So then, Lord, do not forget that they are your servants; 
they are your people, whom you have saved with your great power 
and strong hand. {R}_{I}11_{/}Listen to my prayer and to the prayer of 
those who only wish to honor your Name. I ask you to help me now. 
May I be well received by the king."
I was then in charge of preparing the drinks of the king.

{N}NEHEMIAH GIVES UP EVERYTHING TO GO TO JERUSALEM{/}

{1}2{/}

[\u0095]_{R}_{I}1_{/}In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King 
Artaxerxes, I was doing my duty as cupbearer. I took up the wine 
and gave it to the king. I had never been sad before the king in 
the past. {R}_{I}2_{/}So, the king said to me, "Why do you look sad? You 
don't look sick. Is there something that bothers you?"
I became hesitant. {R}_{I}3_{/}And I said, "May the king live forever! 
How could I afford not to be sad when the city where my fathers 
are buried lies in ruins and its gates are burned down?" {R}_{I}4_{/}The 
king said to me, "What do you want, then?" I asked help of God 
from heaven and {R}_{I}5_{/}said to the king, "If it seems good to the 
king and if he is pleased with my work, then may he send me to the 
land of Judah, to the city where my fathers are buried, that I may 
rebuild it."
[=]_{R}_{I}6_{/}The queen was sitting beside the king, and the king asked 
me, "How long will you be gone? When will you be back?" I told him 
the date and he allowed me to leave. {R}_{I}7_{/}And I said to the king, 
"If it pleases the king, may you give me letters for the governors 
of the province at the other side of the River that I may travel 
to Judah, {R}_{I}8_{/}and also a letter to Asaph, the caretaker of the 
king's forest, for I will need wood for the gates of the Citadel 
near the Temple, for the walls of the city and for the house where 
I shall live."
The good hand of God was sup-porting me, so that the king gave me 
what I asked. [=]_{R}_{I}9_{/}I went to the governors at the other side 
of the River, and delivered to them the letters of the king. The 
king had ordered that I be accompanied by officers of the army and 
horsemen. {R}_{I}10_{/}But in Jerusalem, Sanballat the Horonite and 
Tobiah, the Ammonite servant, came to know of my arrival and it 
displeased them that someone had come to help the Israelites.
{R}_{I}11_{/}I came to Jerusalem and was there for three days. {R}_{I}12_{/}Then 
I arose in the night, accompanied by a few men, without telling 
anyone what my God had inspired me and what I planned to do in 
Jerusalem. 
Bringing along only the horse on which I rode, {R}_{I}13_{/}I went out by 
night by the Gate of the Garbage Dump, I inspected the ruined wall 
of Jerusalem and the burned gates.
{R}_{I}14_{/}I went on to the Fountain Gate and the King's Reservoir, but 
my horse could not pass through anywhere. {I}15_{/}So I went up, in 
the night, by the ravine. I inspected the wall and turned back, 
entering by the Valley Gate.
So I returned to the house. {R}_{I}16_{/}The counselors did not know 
where I had been or what I was doing. Until that time I had not 
yet told any of the Jews or the counselors, or the priests or the 
nobles, or any of those in public office.
{R}_{I}17_{/}Then I said to them, "You your-selves see the misery we are 
in because Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates burned. Come, let 
us rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and put an end to this 
humiliating situation." {R}_{I}18_{/}And I recounted to them how the good 
hand of God had helped me, and what the king had told me. Everyone 
said, "Let us begin the work." And they encouraged one another to 
make this good work a reality.
{R}_{I}19_{/}Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite and Geshem the 
Arab heard of this. They laughed at us and came to tell us, "What 
are you doing? You are rebelling against the king." {R}_{I}20_{/}I 
answered them, "The God of heaven shall grant us success. We, his 
servants, are now going to build. But as for you, you have neither 
right nor inheritance nor anything to do with Jerusalem."

{N}THEY BEGIN TO BUILD THE WALL{/}

{1}3{/}

[=]_{R}_{I}1_{/}The high priest Eliashib and his brothers, the priests, 
were entrusted with the building of the Sheep Gate. They built it, 
set its doors and continued as far as the Tower of Hananel. 
{R}_{I}2_{/}The people of Jericho worked at their side, and farther on, 
Zaccur, son of Imri. [=]_{I}3_{/}The Fish Gate was assigned to the 
sons of Hassenaah. They set up and fixed its doors, bolts and 
bars.
{I}4_{/}Next to them, Meremoth, son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz, and 
Meshullam, son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel built the next 
section and at their side, Zadok, son of Baana, repaired another 
section. {I}5_{/}At their side, the inhabitants of Tekoa worked, but 
their nobles wanted not to labor in the service of their Lord.
{I}6_{/}The Old Gate was repaired by Joiada, son of Paseah, and 
Meshullam, son of Besodeiah. They set up and fixed the gate with 
its bolts and bars.
{R}_{I}7_{/}Next to them worked Malatiah of Gibeon and Yadan of Meronot 
with the people of Gibeon and Mizpah, beside the house of the 
provincial governor. {R}_{I}8_{/}Next to them worked Uzziel, of the 
jewellers' guild. Next were Hananiah, of the perfumers' guild: 
they strengthened Jerusalem as far as the Wall of the Square. 
{R}_{I}9_{/}Next to them repairs were carried out by Rephaiah son of Hur, 
ruler of half the district of Jerusalem.{I}10_{/}Next to them Jedaiah 
son of Harumaph worked opposite his own house; next to him repairs 
were carried out by Hattush son of Hashabneiah. {I}11_{/}Malchijah son 
of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-moab repaired the next section 
as far as the Tower of the Furnaces. {R}_{I}12_{/}Next to them worked 
Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, 
he and his daughters. {I}13_{/}Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah 
repaired the Valley Gate; they restored it, constructed its 
framework and set its doors, bolts and bars in place, and repaired 
a thousand cubits of wall up to the Dung Gate. {I}14_{/}Malchijah son 
of Rechab, ruler of the district of Bethhaccherem, repaired the 
Dung Gate, he and his sons: he set its doors, bolts and bars in 
place. {R}_{I}15_{/}Shallum, son of Colhozeh, ruler of the district of 
Mizpah, worked at the Fountain Gate; he built it, covered it, and 
set its doors, bolts and bars in place. He also rebuilt the wall 
of the conduit cistern, adjoining the king's garden, as far as the 
steps coming down from the Citadel of David. {R}_{I}16_{/}Next to him, 
Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, 
worked up to a point opposite the tombs of David, the artificial 
pool and the House of Heroes. {I}17_{/}Next to him worked the Levites: 
Rehum son of Bani and next to him Hashabiah, ruler of half the 
district of Keilah, for his own district. {I}18_{/}Next to them worked 
their brothers: Binnui son of Henadad, ruler of half the district 
of Keilah; {I}19_{/}next to him, Ezer son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, 
opposite the slope up to the Armory, towards the Angle.
{R}_{I}20_{/}Next to him Baruch son of Zabbai worked from the Angle as 
far as the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. 
{I}21_{/}Next to him Meremoth son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz from the 
door of Eliashib's house to its farther end. {R}_{I}22_{/}Next to him 
worked the priests who lived there. {I}23_{/}Next to them worked 
Benjamin and Hasshub, opposite their own houses. Next to them 
Azariah son of Maaseiah, son of Ananiah, beside his own house. 
{I}24_{/}Next to him Binnui son of Henadad from the house of Azariah 
up to the Angle. {R}_{I}25_{/}Next to him Palal son of Uzai worked 
opposite the corner of the tower jutting out over the upper palace 
of the king near the prison courtyard. Next to him Pedaiah son of 
Parosh worked {R}_{I}26_{/}as far as the Water Gate, in an easterly 
direction and up to a point opposite the projecting tower. 
{R}_{I}27_{/}Next to him the men of Tekoa worked opposite the great tower 
as far as the wall of Ophel.
{R}_{I}28_{/}From the Horse Gate onwards repairs were carried out by the 
priests, each opposite his own house. {I}29_{/}Next to them worked 
Zadok son of Immer opposite his own house. Next to him Shemaiah 
son of Shecaniah, keeper of the East Gate. {I}30_{/}Next to him 
Hananiah son of Shelemiah and Hanun sixth son of Zalaph. Next to 
him son of Berechiah worked opposite where he lived. {I}31_{/}Next to 
him Malchijah, of the goldsmiths' guild, repaired as far as the 
quarters of the helpers and the merchants, opposite the Watch Gate 
as far as the high chamber of the corner. {I}32_{/}And between the 
high chamber of the corner and the Sheep Gate repairs were carried 
out by the goldsmiths and the merchants.

{N}THE ENEMIES TRY TO DISCOURAGE NEHEMIAH{/}

[\u0095]_{I}33_{/}When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he 
became angry. He ridiculed the Jews {R}_{I}34_{/}and said before his 
brothers and the lords of Samaria, "What are those miserable Jews 
trying to do? Are they perhaps going to rebuild, finish and 
celebrate the inauguration in a single day? Do they think they can 
make stones out of heaps of ruins?"
{I}35_{/}Tobiah the Ammonite who was by him said, "Let them build, for 
if any fox goes up on their wall, it will surely collapse."
{R}_{I}36_{/}Listen, O our God, for we are despised! May their insult 
fall back upon their own heads; give them up to contempt in a land 
where they shall be exiled! [=]_{I}37_{/}Do not cover their guilt nor 
let their sin be blotted out in your presence, for they have 
offended those who built.
{I}38_{/}The people worked with all their hearts and we finished half 
the wall's height.

{1}4{/}

{I}1_{/}Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the residents 
of Azotus saw that the repair of the wall was advancing, and that 
we had begun covering the holes. {R}_{I}2_{/}They were greatly enraged, 
and all of them agreed to attack Jerusalem and humiliate me.
{R}_{I}3_{/}So we prayed to our God, and set a guard day and night. 
{R}_{I}4_{/}The people of Judah said, "The strength of the bearers is 
already failing, and much debris still remains; we can never 
rebuild the wall." {I}5_{/}And our enemies said, "We will take them by 
surprise before they know it. We will kill them and stop their 
work." {I}6_{/}But some Jews who lived with them came to notify us 
about this. Ten times they said to us, "From all the places where 
they live, they shall set out against us."
{I}7_{/}So I ordered that people be sta-tioned behind the wall, there 
in the lowest part. I stationed them by families, with their 
swords, spears, and bows. {I}8_{/}They were afraid, but I stood up and 
said to the nobles, the counselors and the rest of the people, 
"Remember the Lord, great and magnificent, and fight for your 
brothers, sons and daughters, wives and homes."
{R}_{I}9_{/}When our enemies learned that we had been notified, that God 
willed that their plans be thwarted, we all returned to the wall, 
each one to his work.
{R}_{I}10_{/}But from that day on, only half of my men worked while the 
other half, with bows, spears, shields and armor, stood behind all 
the people of Judah {I}11_{/}building the wall. The bearers picked up 
their loads with one hand because they held a weapon with the 
other hand. {R}_{I}12_{/}Each of the builders had his sword girded at his 
side as he worked.
Beside me was the man assigned to sound the trumpet. {I}13_{/}I told 
the nobles, the counselors and the rest of the people, "The extent 
of the work is great and we are scattered along the wall, far from 
one another, {R}_{I}14_{/}so when you hear the sound of the horn, come to 
our aid at once and our God shall fight for us."
{I}15_{/}So we scheduled the work from daybreak till the stars came 
out, half of us with weapons in hand. {R}_{I}16_{/}I also said to the 
people, "Everyone shall spend the night within Jerusalem, with his 
servants. So we may keep guard by night and work by day."
{I}17_{/}Yet my brothers, my men, the men of the guard who followed 
me, and I did not take off our clothes when we slept. Everyone 
kept his weapon with him.

{N}THE RICH MUST SHARE THE SACRIFICES OF THE POOR{/}

{1}5{/}

[\u0095]_{R}_{I}1_{/}The common people and their wives presented very serious 
complaints against their Jewish brothers.
{I}2_{/}Some of them said, "We have big families and we need wheat to 
eat for strength to live." {I}3_{/}Others cried out, "We have to 
mortgage our fields, vineyards and houses to get grain because of 
this famine." {R}_{I}4_{/}Others said, "We have borrowed money on account 
of our fields and vineyards in order to pay the tax to the king. 
[=]_{I}5_{/}Though we are of the same race as our brothers and our 
children are not different from their children, we have to give 
our sons as slaves; even many of our daughters are now regarded as 
concubines. And we do not have any other solution, inasmuch as our 
fields and vineyards have passed on to others."
{I}6_{/}Those complaints and accusations filled me with indignation 
{I}7_{/}and I reproached the nobles and the counselors, {R}_{I}8_{/}saying to 
them, "Why do you not have compassion on your brothers?"
Because of this, I held a great assembly and said to them, "We 
have rescued, according to our resources, our Jewish brothers who 
were slaves. But are you now buying your own brothers?"
They remained silent. They could not answer. {R}_{I}9_{/}And I continued, 
"What you do is not good. Should you not live in obedience to our 
God lest we be put to shame by our pagan enemies? {I}10_{/}My 
brothers, my relatives and I have also lent money and wheat. Now 
then, let us forget everything they owe us, {I}11_{/}returning to them 
at once their fields, vineyards, and olive groves, and canceling 
their debts in money, wheat, wine and oil." {R}_{I}12_{/}They answered 
me, "We will return these and demand nothing from them. We will do 
as you have said."
So I called the priests, and before them made all of them swear an 
oath that they would fulfill their promise. {R}_{I}13_{/}Then I shook out 
the folds of my mantle, saying, "So may God shake out of his house 
and his inheritance all who do not fulfill this word, and may he 
be so shaken that nothing is left of him." The whole assembly 
answered, "Amen" and praised Yahweh. And the people fulfilled 
their promise.
{R}_{I}14_{/}King Artaxerxes had appointed me governor of the land of 
Judah in the twentieth year of his reign. Until the thirty-second 
year, or rather, for twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ever 
demanded to be given the governor's bread. {I}15_{/}But the former 
governors had collected forty pieces of silver per day from the 
people. This payment was a burden to the people, and so were their 
servants.
{I}16_{/}As I dedicated myself to rebuilding the wall, I did not buy 
fields; and all my men were there helping. {I}17_{/}At my table a 
hundred and fifty men, leaders and counselors were seated, besides 
those who came to us from neighboring nations. {R}_{I}18_{/}A male calf, 
six choice rams and fowls were slaughtered daily, and every ten 
days a great quantity of wine was brought. But though all these 
were charged to my account, I never asked for the governor's 
bread, because the people were already burdened enough with the 
task of reconstruction.
{R}_{I}19_{/}Remember for my good, my God, all that I have done for this 
people!

{N}FURTHER OPPOSITION TO REBUILDING{/}

{1}6{/}

[\u0095]_{R}_{I}1_{/}Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our 
enemies learned that I had rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem. There 
was no hole left in it, although the doors had not been set up 
yet. {I}2_{/}Then Sanballat and Geshem sent me a message saying, "Come 
and let us talk in Keriphim, in the lowland of Ono."
They intended to do me harm; {I}3_{/}but I sent messengers to them, 
saying, "I am much occupied in a very important work, I cannot 
come down to meet you, for the work would stop if I left it." 
{I}4_{/}They invited me again four times, but I gave them the same 
answer every time.
{I}5_{/}Then Sanballat invited me for the fifth time. His servant 
brought an open letter which said the following, {I}6_{/}"Do you know 
the news that circulates among those who are not Jews? Gashmu says 
that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you 
are rebuilding the wall. {R}_{I}7_{/}And you also wish to become their 
king, and have already chosen prophets to proclaim you king of 
Jerusalem. The king shall know of this, so come, that the two of 
us may talk."
{I}8_{/}But I sent to him, saying, "There's nothing true in what you 
say; you have invented this story." {I}9_{/}For they all wanted to 
frighten us, saying: "Let us discourage them that they may not 
finish the work."
But I, on the contrary, worked with greater strength. {R}_{I}10_{/}Then I 
went to Shemaiah, son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, since he could 
not leave his house. He said to me, "Let us meet together in the 
House of God, within the sanctuary, and then close its doors, for 
they are coming to kill you, to strike you this very night."
{R}_{I}11_{/}But I answered him, "Should a man like me flee? Why should a 
man like me seek sanctuary to save my life? I will not go." 
{R}_{I}12_{/}I understood then that Semaiah had not been sent by God but 
that Tobiah and Sanballat had brought him {I}13_{/}to frighten me. In 
hiding in the sanctuary, I would have committed an offense, and 
this would have damaged my reputation and put me to shame.
[=]_{R}_{I}14_{/}O my God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat for what they 
have done; and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the 
prophets who tried to frighten me.
{I}15_{/}The wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in 
fifty-two days. {R}_{I}16_{/}When our enemies and the neighboring nations 
knew about it, they were afraid and lost courage. They had to 
recognize the work of God in this.
{I}17_{/}During that time, several distinguished Jews often wrote to 
and received letters from Tobiah. {R}_{I}18_{/}Tobiah had many friends in 
Judah for he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah, son of Arah, and 
because his son Jehohanan was married to the daughter of 
Meshullam, son of Berechiah. {I}19_{/}They even came to speak well of 
Tobiah in my presence, and recounted to him all my words as well. 
And it was he - Tobiah - who sent letters to frighten me.

{1}7{/}

{I}1_{/}When the wall was built and the doors were in place, 
gatekeepers were designated to keep watch. {R}_{I}2_{/}Then I set my 
brother Hanani as governor of Jerusalem, and Hananiah as head of 
the Citadel, for he was a faithful man and true servant of God as 
few can be found. {R}_{I}3_{/}Then I said to them, "Open the gates of 
Jerusalem only when the sun begins to get hot, but while it is 
still day, close and bar the doors while the guards are still at 
their posts.
And during the night, the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall come out 
to keep guard, some at their posts and others in front of their 
houses."

{N}THE NEW POPULATION OF JERUSALEM{/}

{I}4_{/}The city was spacious and wide, but it had few inhabitants and 
many houses had not been rebuilt. {R}_{I}5_{/}God inspired in me the idea 
to assemble the leaders, the counselors and the people to take a 
census. I found the registry book of the census of those who had 
returned from exile in the beginning. I found the following 
written in it:
[=]_{R}_{I}6_{/}These are the people of the province who returned from 
exile whom Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had deported, but 
returned to Jerusalem and Judea, each to his city:
{R}_{I}7_{/}These are the Israelites who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, 
Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, 
Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah; here are the numbers:
{I}8_{/}The sons of Parosh, 2,172; {I}9_{/}those of Shephatiah, 372; 
{I}10_{/}those of Arah, 652; {I}11_{/}those of Pahath-moab of the sons of 
Jeshua and Joab, 2,818; {I}12_{/}the sons of Elam 1,254; {I}13_{/}those of 
Zattu, 845; {I}14_{/}those of Zaccai, 760; {I}15_{/}those of Binnui, 648; 
{I}16_{/}those of Bebai, 628; {I}17_{/}those of Azgad, 2,322; {I}18_{/}those 
of Adonimkan, 667; {I}19_{/}those of Bigvai, 2,067; {I}20_{/}those of 
Adin, 655; {R}_{I}21_{/}those of Ater, of Hezekiah, 98; {I}22_{/}those of 
Hashum, 328; {I}23_{/}those of Bezai, 324; {I}24_{/}those of Hariph, 112; 
{R}_{I}25_{/}those of Gibeon, 95.
{R}_{I}26_{/}The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188; {I}27_{/}those of 
Anathoth, 128; {I}28_{/}those of Bethazmaveth, 42; {I}29_{/}those of 
Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743; {I}30_{/}those of Ramah 
and Geba, 621; {I}31_{/}those of Michmas, 122; {R}_{I}32_{/}those of Bethel 
and Ai, 123; {I}33_{/}those of the other Nebo, {I}52{/}.
{I}34_{/}The sons of the other Elam, 1,254; {I}35_{/}those of Harim, 320; 
{R}_{I}36_{/}those of Jericho, 345; {I}37_{/}those of Lod, Hadid and Ono, 
721; {I}38_{/}those of Senaah, 3,930.
{R}_{I}39_{/}The priests: the sons of Jedaiah of the house of Jeshua, 
973; {I}40_{/}those of Immer, 1,052; {I}41_{/}those of Pashhur, 1,247; 
{I}42_{/}those of Harim, 1,017.
{I}43_{/}The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the sons of 
Hodevah, 74.
{R}_{I}44_{/}The singers: the sons of Asaph, 148.
{I}45_{/}The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, of Ater, of Talmon, of 
Akkub, of Hatita, of Shobai, 138.
{I}46_{/}The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, of Hasupha, of 
Tabbaoth, {I}47_{/}of Keros, of Sia, of Padon, {I}48_{/}of Lebana, of 
Hagaba, of Shalmai, {I}49_{/}of Hanan, of Giddel, of Gahar, {I}50_{/}of 
Reaiah, of Rezin, of Nekoda, {I}51_{/}of Gazzam, of Uzza, of Paseah, 
{I}52_{/}of Besai, of Meunim, of Nephushessim, {I}53_{/}of Bakbuk, of 
Hakupha, of Harhur, {I}54_{/}of Bazlith, of Mehida, of Harsha, {I}55_{/}of 
Barkos, of Sisera, of Temah, {I}56_{/}of Neziah, of Hatipha.
{R}_{I}57_{/}The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, of 
Sophereth, of Perida, {I}58_{/}of Jaala, of Darkon, of Giddel, {I}59_{/}of 
Shephatiah, of Hattil, of Pochereth-hazzenaim, of Amon. {R}_{I}60_{/}All 
the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392.
{I}61_{/}And these were they who came up from Telmelah, Telharsha, 
Cherub, Addon, and Immer; but they could not prove that their 
families and ancestry were of Israelite origin: {I}62_{/}the sons of 
Delaiah, of Tobiah, of Nekoda, 642. {R}_{I}63_{/}And of the priests: the 
sons of Hobaiah, of Hakkoz, of Barzillai, who took a wife of the 
daughters of Barzillai, the Gileadite, and was named after them. 
{I}64_{/}These people searched for their ancestral registration, but 
it could not be located; therefore they were considered unclean 
and excluded from the priesthood. {I}65_{/}And the governor said to 
them that they should not eat from the most holy things until a 
priest would make a decision through the Urim and Thummim.
{I}66_{/}The whole assembly together was 42,360, {I}67_{/}besides their 
male and female servants: 7,337; and they had 245 male and female 
singers.
{I}68_{/}They had 736 horses, 245 mules; {I}69_{/}435 camels; 6,720 
donkeys. {R}_{I}70_{/}Some of the heads of families gave offerings for 
the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 gold drachmas, 
50 basins, 530 priests' garments. {R}_{I}71_{/}The heads of families gave 
into the treasury of the work 20,000 gold drachmas, and 2,200 
silver minas and 67 priests' garments.
{R}_{I}72_{/}The rest of the people gave 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,000 
silver minas, and 67 priests' garments.
{R}_{I}73_{/}The priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some 
of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel lived in their 
cities.
And when the seventh month came, the sons of Israel were in their 
cities.

{N}EZRA READS THE LAW{/}

{1}8{/}

[\u0095]_{R}_{I}1_{/}In the seventh month, all the people gathered as one man 
in the square before the Water Gate, and they asked Ezra to bring 
the Book of the Law of Moses, which Yahweh had given to Israel. 
{R}_{I}2_{/}Ezra brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women 
and all the children who could understand what was being read. It 
was the first day of the seventh month. {R}_{I}3_{/}Ezra read the book 
before all of them from early morning until midday in the square 
facing the Water Gate; and all who heard were attentive to the 
Book of the Law.
{R}_{I}4_{/}Ezra, the teacher of the Law, stood on a wooden platform 
built for that occasion and to his right were Mattithiah, Shema, 
Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and to his left were Pedaiah, 
Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hasbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.
{R}_{I}5_{/}Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he 
was in a higher place; and when he opened it, all the people 
stood. {R}_{I}6_{/}Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God; and all the people 
lifted up their hands and answered, "Amen! Amen!" And they bowed 
their heads to the ground.
{R}_{I}7_{/}The Levites Joshua, Bani and the rest of their brothers 
explained the Law to the people who were standing. [=]_{R}_{I}8_{/}They 
read from the Book of the Law of God, clarifying and interpreting 
the meaning, so that everyone might understand what they were 
hearing.
{R}_{I}9_{/}Then Ezra, the teacher of the Law, said to the people, "This 
day is dedicated to Yahweh, your God, so do not be sad or weep." 
He said this because all wept when they heard the reading of the 
Law. {I}10_{/}Then he said to them, "Go and eat rich foods, drink 
sweet wine and share with him who has nothing prepared. 
This day is dedicated to the Lord, so do not be sad. The joy of 
Yahweh is our strength."
{I}11_{/}The Levites also calmed the people down, saying, "Do not 
weep. This day is a festival day. Do not be sad." {I}12_{/}And the 
people went their way to eat, drink and share, and they had a 
great feast, because they had understood the words that had been 
proclaimed to them.
{R}_{I}13_{/}On the second day, the heads of the families, the priests 
and the Levites came together to Ezra, the teacher of the Law, in 
order to learn the Law. [=]_{R}_{I}14_{/}There they read that Yahweh had 
commanded the children of Israel that they should dwell in huts 
during the feast of the seventh month. {R}_{I}15_{/}Then they proclaimed 
in all the cities and in Jerusalem: "Go to the mountains and bring 
branches of olive, pine, myrtle, palm and of any leafy tree to 
build huts according to what is commanded."
{R}_{I}16_{/}The people went out and brought branches and built huts for 
themselves on the roofs of their houses, or in their yards, or in 
the courtyards of the House of Yahweh, or in the square at the 
Water Gate or in the square at the Gate of Ephraim.
{R}_{I}17_{/}The whole assembly of those who had returned from exile 
built huts and dwelt in them, a thing the Israelites had not done 
since the days of Joshua, son of Nun. And there was great 
rejoicing.
{R}_{I}18_{/}They read the Book of the Law of God daily, from the first 
day to the last day of the feast. The feast lasted for seven days 
as prescribed and there was a solemn assembly on the eighth day.

{N}THE ISRAELITES CONFESS THEIR SINS{/}

{1}9{/}

[\u0095]_{I}1_{/}On the twenty-fourth day of that same month, the 
Israelites assembled to fast. They put on sackcloth and sprinkled 
dust upon their heads. {R}_{I}2_{/}The race of Israel separated 
themselves from all foreigners; they stood and confessed their 
sins and those of their fathers.
{R}_{I}3_{/}They stood up in their place and read from the Book of the 
Law of Yahweh, their God, for three hours. For another three 
hours, they confessed their sins and bowed before Yahweh, their 
God.
{R}_{I}4_{/}Joshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and 
Chenani stood on the platform of the Levites and cried out with a 
loud voice to Yahweh, their God. {R}_{I}5_{/}Then the Levites: Joshua, 
Bani, Kadmiel, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and 
Pethaliah said, "Arise, bless Yahweh, our God, forever and ever. 
Blessed be your glorious Name which is beyond all blessing and 
praise."

{N}PRAYER OF EZRA{/}

{R}_{I}6_{/}Then Ezra said, "You, Yahweh, you alone made the heavens, the 
heaven of heavens, and all their army, the earth and all that is 
on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all, and 
all the angels of heaven adore you.
[=]_{R}_{I}7_{/}You, Yahweh, are the God who chose Abram; you brought him 
out of Ur of Chaldea, and gave him the name Abraham.
{R}_{I}8_{/}You found him faithful to you and made with him the Covenant 
to give him and his descendants the land of the Canaanite, the 
Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite and the 
Girgashite. And you have fulfilled your word, for you are just.
{R}_{I}9_{/}You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and listened 
to their cry by the Red Sea.
[=]_{I}10_{/}You worked signs and wonders against Pharaoh, his 
ministers and all his people, for you knew that they had treated 
us harshly, and you have received fame to this day.
[=]_{R}_{I}11_{/}You divided the sea before our fathers who passed 
through the midst of the sea without their feet getting wet. You 
cast their pursuers into the depths of the sea, as stones fall 
into the deep waters.
{I}12_{/}You guided them by day with a pillar of cloud, and by night 
with a pillar of fire to light for them the way they should 
follow.
[=]_{R}_{I}13_{/}You came down upon Mount Sinai and spoke with them from 
heaven; you gave them just decisions and laws that express truth, 
excellent precepts and commandments.
{R}_{I}14_{/}You taught them to consecrate the sabbath to you; you gave 
them commandments, precepts and the Law, through the hand of 
Moses, your servant.
[=]_{R}_{I}15_{/}You gave them bread from heaven and told them to satisfy 
their hunger; you made water gush forth from the rock to quench 
their thirst, and commanded them to go and take possession of the 
land which you had sworn to give them.
{I}16_{/}But our fathers became proud and hard-headed, and they did 
not listen to your commands.
[=]_{R}_{I}17_{/}They refused to listen and to remember all the marvels 
you did for them. They hardened their hearts rebelliously and 
wanted to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you, God of 
forgiveness, merciful and gracious, slow to anger and rich in 
kindness, did not abandon them.
[=]_{R}_{I}18_{/}They even made for themselves a molten calf and said: 
'This is your god, Israel, who brought you out of Egypt,' and they 
terribly insulted you and blasphemed you.
{R}_{I}19_{/}But you, in your great kindness, did not abandon them in the 
desert; the pillar of cloud did not depart from them by day, nor 
the pillar of fire by night, by which you showed them the way they 
should take.
[=]_{R}_{I}20_{/}You gave them your good Spirit to instruct them; you 
gave them manna so they could eat, and water to quench their 
thirst.
{R}_{I}21_{/}Forty years you cared for them in the desert and they lacked 
nothing, neither did their clothes wear out or their feet swell.
[=]_{I}22_{/}You gave them kingdoms and lands; you allotted to them 
the frontier lands. They took possession of the land of Sihon, 
king of Heshbon, and the land of Og, king of Bashan.
{I}23_{/}And you multiplied their sons as the stars of heaven, 
bringing them to the land you promised their fathers.
{R}_{I}24_{/}Their sons entered and took possession of the land. Before 
them you crushed the land's inhabitants, the Canaanites whom you 
gave into their hands with their kings and all the inhabitants, to 
do to them as they pleased.
[=]_{I}25_{/}They conquered fortified cities and a fertile land, took 
possession of houses well-stocked, wells ready-hewn, vineyards and 
olive groves, and fruit trees in great abundance. They ate, were 
satisfied and grew fat, and they lived comfortably by your great 
kindness.
{R}_{I}26_{/}But then, they were disobedient and they rebelled against 
you. They threw your Law behind their backs, they killed your 
prophets and they terribly blasphemed you.
[=]_{I}27_{/}You handed them over to their enemies who oppressed them. 
In their oppression they cried to you, and you listened to them 
from heaven, so by your immense kindness, you sent them saviors 
who freed them from their oppressors.
{I}28_{/}But when they were at peace, they did evil against you again, 
and you gave them over to the hands of the enemies who oppressed 
them. Once more they cried to you, and you listened to them from 
heaven, and by your great kindness you saved them many times.
{R}_{I}29_{/}Insistently, you asked them to return to your Law, but they 
were very proud, so they did not listen to your commands and 
decisions. They did not observe what a man should fulfill to have 
life. They turned their backs and did not listen to you for they 
were hard-headed.
{R}_{I}30_{/}You were patient with them for many years. You admonished 
them by your Spirit through the mouth of the prophets; but they 
did not listen.
Then you gave them over into the hands of the peoples of these 
countries. {R}_{I}31_{/}But because of your great kindness, you did not 
let them be destroyed, nor did you abandon them, for you are a God 
of kindness and mercy.
{R}_{I}32_{/}Now then, our God, great, powerful and fearsome God, you who 
keep your covenant and your love, take into account this misery 
which has come upon us, upon our kings and leaders, our priests 
and prophets, upon our fathers and all your people since the time 
of the kings of Assyria to the present day.
{I}33_{/}You have shown yourself just in all that has happened, for 
you have faithfully fulfilled your promises, but we have acted 
wickedly.
{R}_{I}34_{/}Our kings and leaders, our priests and our fathers did not 
keep your Law, they did not follow your commandments or the norms 
you gave them.
{R}_{I}35_{/}While they were in their king-doms, enjoying the prosperity 
that came from you and the very fertile and wide land you had 
prepared for them, they did not serve you nor did they turn away 
from their wicked deeds.
{I}36_{/}See, we are now slaves, enslaved in the land you gave to our 
fathers to enjoy its fruits and its goodness.
{R}_{I}37_{/}The abundant fruits of the land go to the kings you have set 
over us because of our sins. They do what they please with us and 
our livestock, and because of this we live in great distress."

{N}PROMISES MADE BY THE COMMUNITY{/}

{1}10{/}

[\u0095]_{R}_{I}1_{/}In accordance with all this, we make a firm commitment in 
writing. The document has been signed by our leaders, our Levites 
and our priests.
{R}_{I}2_{/}Nehemiah son of Hacaliah son of Zedekiah, {R}_{I}3_{/}Seraiah, 
Azariah, Jeremiah, {I}4_{/}Pashhur, Amariah, Malchijah, {I}5_{/}Hattush, 
Shebaniah, Malluch, {I}6_{/}Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah, {R}_{I}7_{/}Daniel, 
Ginnethon, Baruch, {I}8_{/}Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin, {R}_{I}9_{/}Maaziah, 
Bilgai, Shemaiah: these are the priests.
{I}10_{/}Then the Levites: Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the clan 
of Henadad, Kadmiel, {I}11_{/}and their kinsmen Shebaniah, Hodaviah, 
Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan, {I}12_{/}Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah, {I}13_{/}Zaccur, 
Sherebiah, Shebaniah, {I}14_{/}Hodiah, Bani, Chenani.
{I}15_{/}The leaders of the people: Parosh, Pathmoab, Elam, Zattu, 
Bani, {I}16_{/}Bunni, Azgad, Bebai, {I}17_{/}Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin, 
{R}_{I}18_{/}Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur, {I}19_{/}Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai, 
{I}20_{/}Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai, {I}21_{/}Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir, 
{I}22_{/}Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua, {I}23_{/}Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah, 
{I}24_{/}Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub, {I}25_{/}Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek, 
{I}26_{/}Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah, {I}27_{/}Ahiah, Hanan, Anan, 
{I}28_{/}Malluch, Harim, Baanah.
{R}_{I}29_{/}And the rest of the people, the priests and the Levites, the 
gatekeepers, singers and helpers and all who have separated 
themselves from the inhabitants of the land to follow the Law of 
God together with their wives and their children who are old 
enough to understand, all these {R}_{I}30_{/}with their leaders and their 
brothers have sworn to walk according to the Law of God 
promulgated through Moses, the servant of God, and to keep and 
fulfill all the precepts of Yahweh, our God, and his decisions and 
laws.
{I}31_{/}We decided not to give our daughters in marriage to the men 
of the land nor take their daughters as wives for our sons. 
{I}32_{/}If the people of the land bring goods or any foodstuff 
whatsoever to sell on the sabbath day, we will not buy anything 
from them on the sabbath day or on any other sacred feast day. We 
will leave our fields uncultivated in the seventh year, and cancel 
all debts owed to us.
{I}33_{/}We consider it our obligation to give one third of a shekel 
yearly for the service of the House of Yahweh, {R}_{I}34_{/}for the show-
bread, for perpetual food offering and the holocaust, for the 
sacrifices on the sabbath, on the new moon, on feasts for other 
sacrifices, for the expiation of the sin of Israel and for 
everything necessary in the House of God.
{R}_{I}35_{/}Among the priests, Levites and people of the town, we have 
drawn lots for the offering of firewood that each family shall 
bring by turn to the House of Yahweh every year to keep the fire 
burning at the altar of Yahweh, our God, as it is written in the 
Law.
{I}36_{/}We will bring the first fruits of our fields and of our fruit 
trees to the House of Yahweh through all the years. [=]_{R}_{I}37_{/}Our 
firstborn sons and the firstborn of our animals, as it is written 
in the Law, the firstborn of our cattle and sheep we will set 
aside for the House of Yahweh and for the priests who serve in the 
House of our God. [=]_{R}_{I}38_{/}We will bring the best of our cereals, 
the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil to the priests to be 
kept in the chambers of the House of our God; we will also bring 
the tithes from our fields for the Levites. The Levites themselves 
will collect the tithes from all the agricultural towns. 
[=]_{R}_{I}39_{/}A priest, a son of Aaron, will go with them when they 
collect the tithes. The Levites will bring the tenth part of the 
tithes into the storage rooms of the House of God where the 
treasures are kept, {R}_{I}40_{/}since the Israelites and the Levites 
bring to these storage rooms what they owe in wheat, wine and oil. 
In these rooms are also found the supplies for the Sanctuary, for 
the priests who are on duty, and for the gatekeepers and the 
singers.
So we will no longer neglect the house of our God

{1}11{/}

{R}_{I}1_{/}The leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem. The rest of 
the people drew lots so that for every ten men, one would live in 
Jerusalem, the Holy City, with the remaining nine settling in 
other cities. {R}_{I}2_{/}The people blessed all the men who volunteered 
to live in Jerusalem.
{R}_{I}3_{/}These are the provincial leaders who resided in Jerusalem. 
And in the cities of Judah, everyone settled on his property, in 
the city of his family: the people of Israel and their priests and 
Levites, ministers and the sons of the servants of Solomon.

{N}THE JEWISH POPULATION IN JERUSALEM{/}

{R}_{I}4_{/}In Jerusalem there lived some of the tribe of Judah and some 
of the tribe of Benjamin.
Of the tribe of Judah: Athaiah son of Uzziah, grandson of 
Zechariah, son of Amariah, son of Sephatiah, son of Mehalalel, of 
the descendants of Perez; {R}_{I}5_{/}Maaseiah son of Baruch, grandson of 
Colhozeh, son of Hazaiah, son of Adaiah, son of Joiarib, son of 
Zechariah, descendant of Shelah. {R}_{I}6_{/}The total number of the 
descendants of Perez living in Jerusalem was four hundred and 
sixty-eight adult men.
{I}7_{/}These belonged to the tribe of Benjamin: Sallu son of 
Meshullam, grandson of Joed, son of Pedaiah, son of Kolaiah, son 
of Maaseiah, son of Ithiel, son of Jeshaiah, {I}8_{/}and his kinsmen, 
adult men: nine hundred and twenty-eight.
{R}_{I}9_{/}Joel son of Zichri was their leader, and Judah son of 
Hassenuah was second in command of the city.
{R}_{I}10_{/}Of the priests: Jedaiah son of Joiakin, son of Seraiah, son 
of Hilkiah, {R}_{I}11_{/}grandson of Meshullam, son of Zadok, son of 
Meraioth, son of Ahitub, who was the High Priest, {R}_{I}12_{/}and his 
kinsmen who were responsible for the Temple liturgy: eight hundred 
and twenty-two; Adaiah son of Jeroham, son of Pelaliah, son of 
Amzi, son of Zechariah, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah, {I}13_{/}and 
his kinsmen, heads of families: two hundred and forty-two; and 
Amashai son of Azarel, grandson of Ahzai, son of Meshillemoth, son 
of Immer, {I}14_{/}and his kinsmen, adult men: one hundred and twenty-
eight.
Zabdiel son of Haggadol was in charge of them.
{I}15_{/}Of the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, grandson of Azrikam, 
son of Hashabiah, son of Bunni, {R}_{I}16_{/}Shabbethai and Jozabad, the 
levitical leaders responsible for the outside work of the Temple 
of God; {R}_{I}17_{/}Mattaniah son of Mica, grandson of Zabdi, son of 
Asaph, who directed the hymns and, at prayer, intoned the 
thanksgiving; Bakbukiah, the second in rank among his kinsmen; 
Obaidah son of Shammua, grandson of Galai, son of Jeduthun. 
{I}18_{/}The total number of Levites in the holy city: two hundred and 
eighty-four.
{I}19_{/}The gatekeepers: Akkub, Talmon and their kinsmen, who kept 
watch at the gates: one hundred and seventy-two.
{R}_{I}21_{/}The workmen lived at Ophel; Ziha and Gishpa were in charge 
of the workmen. {R}_{I}22_{/}The head of the Levites in Jerusalem was 
Uzzi son of Bani, grandson of Hashbiah, son of Mattaniah, son of 
Mica, he belonged to the clan of Asaph who were responsible for 
the chanted parts of the liturgy in the Temple of God; {R}_{I}23_{/}there 
were royal regulations stating how the clans should take turns in 
leading the Temple music each day. {R}_{I}24_{/}Pethahiah son of 
Meshezabel, belonging to the clan of Zerah and the tribe of Judah, 
was the king's commissioner for all such matters as concerned the 
people.
{I}20_{/}The rest of the Israelites, priests and Levites made their 
homes throughout the towns of Judah, each man in his own 
inheritance, {R}_{I}25_{/}and in the villages situated in rural districts 
of their own fields.
Some of the tribe of Judah made their homes in Kiriatharba and its 
outlying villages, in Dibon and its outlying villages, in 
Jekabzeel and its outlying villages, {I}26_{/}in Jeshua, Moladah, 
Beth-pelet, {R}_{I}27_{/}Hazar-shual, in Beersheba and its villages, 
{I}28_{/}in Ziklag, in Meconah and its villages, {I}29__{/}in Enrimmon, 
Zorah, Jarmuth, {R}_{I}30_{/}Zanoah, Adullam and their villages: thus, 
they settled from Beersheba as far as the Valley of Hinnom.
{R}_{I}31_{/}Some of the tribe of Benjamin made their homes in Geba, 
Michmash, Aija, in Bethel and its villages, {I}32_{/}Anathoth, Nob, 
Ananiah, {R}_{I}33_{/}Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, {I}34_{/}Hadid, Zeboim, 
Neballat, {I}35_{/}Lod and Ono, and the Valley of the Craftsmen.
{R}_{I}36_{/}Some groups of Levites settled in Judah as well as in 
Benjamin.

{1}12{/}

{R}_{I}1_{/}These are the priests and the Levites who came back with 
Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and with the High Priest Jeshua:
{R}_{I}2_{/}Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, {I}3_{/}Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, 
Shecaniah, Harim, Meremoth, {I}4_{/}Iddo, Ginnethoi, Abijai, 
{I}5_{/}Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, {I}6_{/}Shemaiah; also: Joiarib, 
Jedaiah, {I}7a_{/}Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah.
{R}_{I}8_{/}And the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, 
Mattaniah - the latter with his kinsmen, directed the hymns of 
thanksgiving {I}9_{/}while Bakbukiah, Unno and their kinsmen in their 
respective groups formed an alternate choir.
{I}7b_{/}These were the heads of the priests and of their kinsmen in 
the days of Jeshua.
{I}10_{/}Jeshua was the father of Joiakim father of Eliashib, Eliashib 
father of Joiada, {I}11_{/}Joiada father of Johanan, and Johanan 
father of Jaddua.
{R}_{I}12_{/}In the days when Joiakim was High Priest the heads of the 
priestly clans were: clan of {R}_{I}13_{/}Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, 
Hananiah; of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; {R}_{I}14_{/}of 
Malluchi, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph; {I}15_{/}of Harim, Adna; of 
Meremoth, Helkai; {R}_{I}16_{/}of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, 
Meshullam; {I}17_{/}of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin...; of Moadiah, 
Piltai; {I}18_{/}of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; 
{I}19_{/}also: of Joiaarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; {I}20_{/}of 
Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; {I}21_{/}of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of 
Jedaiah, Nethanel.
{R}_{I}22_{/}In the days of the High Priests Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan 
and Jaddua, the heads of the priestly families were recorded in 
the Book of the Chronicles up to the reign of Darius the Persian.
{I}23_{/}The sons of Levi.
{R}_{I}24_{/}The heads of the Levite families were recorded in the Book 
of the Chronicles, but only up to the time of Johanan, grandson of 
Eliashib.
The heads of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua, Binnui, 
Kadmiel; and their kinsmen forming an alternate choir for the 
hymns of praise and thanksgiving, in accordance with the 
instructions of David the man of God, in alternating groups. 
{I}25_{/}Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub 
were gatekeepers and stood guard at the storehouses near the 
gates.
{R}_{I}26_{/}These lived in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, grandson 
of Jozadak and in the days of Nehemiah, the governor and of Ezra, 
priest and scholar of the Law.

{N}DEDICATION OF THE WALL OF JERUSALEM{/}

{R}_{I}27_{/}When the wall of Jerusalem was inaugurated, the Levites were 
summoned from all the places where they lived and they came to 
Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with joy, with songs of 
thanksgiving, with the music of cymbals and zithers. {I}28_{/}The 
singers from the neighboring regions and from the villages of 
Netophath, {R}_{I}29_{/}Beth-gilgal and the districts of Bega and 
Azmaveth gathered together in Jerusalem, because the singers had 
built themselves villages around Jerusalem. {R}_{I}30_{/}The priests and 
the Levites purified themselves, and then purified the people, the 
gates and the wall.
{R}_{I}31_{/}I then ordered the leaders of Judah to stand on top of the 
wall and I organized two grand choirs. The first advanced on top 
of the wall in the southern part, facing the Gate of the Garbage 
Dump; {I}32_{/}behind them went Hoshaiah and half the leaders of the 
Jews, {R}_{I}33_{/}and also Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, {R}_{I}34_{/}Judah, 
Benjamin, Shemaiah and Jeremiah, {R}_{I}35_{/}the priests and then the 
musicians with the trumpets came: Zechariah, son of Jonathan, son 
of Shemaiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Micaiah, son of Zaccur, son 
of Asaph, {R}_{I}36_{/}with his brothers, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, 
Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, Hanani, carrying the musical 
instruments of David, the man of God. Ezra, the teacher of the 
Law, went in front of them.
{R}_{I}37_{/}They went straight on up to the Fountain Gate, near the 
steps of the City of David, along the top of the wall of the house 
of David, as far as the Water Gate, on the east.
{I}38_{/}The second choir marched to the left: I followed it with half 
the leaders of the people along the top of the wall, passing 
through the Tower of the Furnaces and as far as the Wide Wall, 
{R}_{I}39_{/}over the Gate of Ephraim, the Fish Gate, the Tower of 
Hananel, as far as the Sheep Gate, and we stopped at the Watch 
Gate.
{R}_{I}40_{/}Then the two choirs took their places in the House of God. 
Half of the counselors {R}_{I}41_{/}and the priests Eliakim, 
{R}_{I}42_{/}Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and 
Hananiah, who were carrying the trumpets, were at my side, 
together with Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, 
Malchijah, Elam and Ezer. The singers chanted their songs under 
the direction of Jezrahiah.
{R}_{I}43_{/}Great sacrifices were offered that day and the people 
rejoiced, for God had bestowed great joy on them; the women and 
the children also participated in the feast. And the shouts of joy 
of Jerusalem could be heard far away.
{R}_{I}44_{/}At that time, supervisors were appointed to guard the 
storage rooms where the contributions, the firstfruits and the 
tithes were kept. They were to store in them the portions from the 
different cities of the territory required by the Law for the 
priests and Levites. For the people of Judah rejoiced to see the 
priests and Levites doing their duty.
{R}_{I}45_{/}They performed the liturgy of their God and the ceremonies 
of purification with the singers and the gatekeepers, as commanded 
by David and his son Solomon. {R}_{I}46_{/}For from the beginning, from 
the days of David and Asaph, there had been song leaders and songs 
of praise and thanksgiving to God.
{R}_{I}47_{/}The whole of Israel, in the time of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah, 
gave the singers and the gatekeepers what was necessary for each 
day. The sacred objects were entrusted to the Levites, and what 
was for the sons of Aaron was given to them.

{1}13{/}

[=]_{R}_{I}1_{/}At that time, the book of the Law of Moses was read in 
the presence of the people, and they found this written in it: 
"The Ammonite and Moabite will never enter the assembly of God, 
[=]_{R}_{I}2_{/}for they did not welcome the sons of Israel with bread 
and water. They gave money to Balaam to curse them, but our God 
turned their curse into a blessing." {R}_{I}3_{/}When they heard this 
Law, they excluded from Israel all those of foreign descent.

{N}SECOND MISSION OF NEHEMIAH{/}

{R}_{I}4_{/}Before this, the priest Eliashib had been caretaker of the 
chambers of the House of God. Since he was related to Tobiah, 
{R}_{I}5_{/}he had allotted to him a spacious chamber which used to be 
the storage room for the offerings, incense, utensils, tithes of 
the wheat, wine and oil, that is, for what belonged to the 
Levites, singers and gatekeepers, and the contributions for the 
priests.
{R}_{I}6_{/}I was not in Jerusalem when this happened, because in the 
thirty-second year of Artaxerxes, king of Babylon, I had gone to 
see the king. Then after some time, the king allowed me to return. 
[=]_{R}_{I}7_{/}I returned to Jerusalem and I was informed of the evil 
Eliashib had done just to please Tobiah, allotting to him a 
chamber inside the court to the House of God. {I}8_{/}This made me 
very angry. So I threw all of Tobiah's furniture out of the 
chamber and {R}_{I}9_{/}ordered the chamber to be purified, and had the 
utensils of the House of God, the offerings and the incense put 
back in place.

{N}NEHEMIAH OPPOSES SEVERAL ABUSES{/}

[\u0095]_{I}10_{/}I also learned that the portions were not given to the 
Levites. And because of this, the Levites and the singers in 
charge of the ceremonies had gone back to their fields. {R}_{I}11_{/}I 
was angry with the counselors and said to them, "Why is the House 
of God abandoned?" Then I gathered together the Levites and the 
singers, and sent them back to work according to their respective 
duties.

{I}12_{/}With this, all the Jews turned over to the storehouses the 
tenth part of their wheat, wine and oil. {R}_{I}13_{/}I entrusted the 
administration of the storehouses to the priest Shelemiah, to the 
teacher of the Law Zadok, to the Levite Pedaiah, and to Hanan, son 
of Zaccur, as assistant. I appointed them since they were regarded 
as responsible men. Their work consisted in distributing the food 
to their brothers.
{R}_{I}14_{/}My God, remember the things I have done. Do not forget the 
good works I did for your House and its ceremonies.
{R}_{I}15_{/}In those days, I found men of Judah working in the winepress 
on the sabbath. Others took sheaves of wheat and loaded them on 
their asses together with wine, grapes, figs and every kind of 
produce they wanted to bring into Jerusalem on the sabbath day. I 
reprimanded them as they were selling their produce.
{R}_{I}16_{/}Some Tyrians who had settled in Jerusalem brought in fish 
and every sort of merchandise to sell to the Jews on the Sabbath 
day. {R}_{I}17_{/}So I reprimanded the leaders of Judah, saying to them, 
"You have done great evil by not respecting the sabbath day.
{R}_{I}18_{/}When your fathers did not observe the sabbath, our God 
brought all those misfortunes on us and on this city. You increase 
the wrath of God against Israel by not respecting his sabbaths."
{R}_{I}19_{/}So I ordered that as the shadows were falling on the gates 
of Jerusalem in the evening before the sabbath, the gates were to 
be closed and not to be opened until after the sabbath was over. 
Moreover, I also stationed some of my men by the gates so that no 
goods would be brought in on the sabbath day.
{R}_{I}20_{/}Once or twice, some merchants who sold every kind of 
merchandise spent the night outside Jerusalem, {R}_{I}21_{/}but I warned 
them, saying, "Why do you spend the night by the wall? Do this 
again, and I shall use force against you." From then on, they did 
not return any more on the sabbath day. {R}_{I}22_{/}I also ordered the 
Levites to purify themselves and to come and guard the gates in 
order to sanctify the sabbath. For this, too, remember me, my God, 
and have pity on me according to your great mercy.
{I}23_{/}In those days, I also saw that some Jews had remarried 
Ashdodite, Ammonite and Moabite women, {I}24_{/}and half of their 
children spoke Ashdodite and did not know our own language. {I}25_{/}I 
reprimanded them and cursed them; I had some of them flogged and 
tore out their hair, and made them swear in the name of Yahweh, 
saying to them: "You shall not marry your daughters to the sons of 
those people, nor take any of their daughters as wife, neither you 
nor your sons. {R}_{I}26_{/}Did Solomon, king of Israel, not sin in this? 
Among the many nations, there had not been a king like him. He was 
loved by God, and God made him king of all Israel. But foreign 
women also made him sin. {R}_{I}27_{/}Will it also be said of you that 
you committed the same grave crime by rebelling against our God in 
marrying foreign women?"
{R}_{I}28_{/}I also sent away from my side one of the sons of Jehoiada, 
son of the high priest Eliashib, who was the son-in-law of 
Sanballat, the Horonite. {R}_{I}29_{/}Remember this people, my God, for 
they defiled the priesthood and your covenant with the priests and 
Levites.
{R}_{I}30_{/}So I purified them from everything foreign. And I 
established regulations for the priests and the Levites, defining 
the tasks of everyone. {R}_{I}31_{/}I also fixed the time for the wood 
offering and for the firstfruits.
Remember me, my God, for my good!

