
HOW NEHEMIAH FELT 
CALLED{/}

{1}1{/}

{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 {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.
{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."
{I}4_{/}When I heard 
these words, I sat down, 
wept and mourned for 
days. I fasted and prayed 
before the God of heaven. 
{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. 
{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. {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.
NEHEMIAH GIVES UP 
EVERYTHING TO GO TO 
JERUSALEM{/}

{1}2{/}

{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. {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. 
{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?" {I}4_{/}The king 
said to me, "What do you 
want, then?" I asked help 
of God from heaven and 
{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."
{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. {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, {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. {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. {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.
{I}11_{/}I came to 
Jerusalem and was there 
for three days. 
{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, 
{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.
{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. {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.
{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." {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.
{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." 
{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."
THEY BEGIN TO BUILD THE 
WALL{/}

{1}3{/}

{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. {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.
{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. {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. 
{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. {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. 
{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. {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.
{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. 
{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. 
{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 {I}26_{/}as far as 
the Water Gate, in an 
easterly direction and up 
to a point opposite the 
projecting tower. 
{I}27_{/}Next to him the 
men of Tekoa worked 
opposite the great tower 
as far as the wall of 
Ophel.
{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.
THE ENEMIES TRY TO 
DISCOURAGE NEHEMIAH{/}

{I}33_{/}When Sanballat 
heard that we were 
rebuilding the wall, he 
became angry. He 
ridiculed the Jews 
{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."
{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. 
{I}2_{/}They were greatly 
enraged, and all of them 
agreed to attack 
Jerusalem and humiliate 
me.
{I}3_{/}So we prayed to 
our God, and set a guard 
day and night. 
{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."
{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.
{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. {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, 
{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. {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.
THE RICH MUST SHARE THE 
SACRIFICES OF THE POOR{/}

{1}5{/}

{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." {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, 
{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. 
{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." {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. 
{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.
{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. 
{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.
{I}19_{/}Remember for my 
good, my God, all that I 
have done for this 
people!
FURTHER OPPOSITION TO 
REBUILDING{/}

{1}6{/}

{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. 
{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. {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."
{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." {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.
{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. 
{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. 
{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. {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. {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."
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. {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:
{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:
{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; {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; {I}25_{/}those of 
Gibeon, 95.
{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; 
{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; {I}36_{/}those of 
Jericho, 345; 
{I}37_{/}those of Lod, 
Hadid and Ono, 721; 
{I}38_{/}those of Senaah, 
3,930.
{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.
{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.
{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. 
{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. {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. 
{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. 
{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.
{I}72_{/}The rest of the 
people gave 20,000 gold 
drachmas and 2,000 silver 
minas, and 67 priests' 
garments.
{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.
EZRA READS THE LAW{/}

{1}8{/}

{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. {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. 
{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.
{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.
{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. 
{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.
{I}7_{/}The Levites 
Joshua, Bani and the rest 
of their brothers 
explained the Law to the 
people who were standing. 
{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.
{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.
{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. 
{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. 
{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."
{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.
{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.
{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.
THE ISRAELITES CONFESS 
THEIR SINS{/}

{1}9{/}

{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. {I}2_{/}The race 
of Israel separated 
themselves from all 
foreigners; they stood 
and confessed their sins 
and those of their 
fathers.
{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.
{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. {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."
PRAYER OF EZRA{/}

{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.
{I}7_{/}You, Yahweh, are 
the God who chose Abram; 
you brought him out of Ur 
of Chaldea, and gave him 
the name Abraham.
{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.
{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.
{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.
{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.
{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.
{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.
{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.
{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.
{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.
{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.
{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.
{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.
{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.
{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.
{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. {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.
{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.
{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.
{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.
{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."
PROMISES MADE BY THE 
COMMUNITY{/}

{1}10{/}

{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.
{I}2_{/}Nehemiah son of 
Hacaliah son of Zedekiah, 
{I}3_{/}Seraiah, Azariah, 
Jeremiah, 
{I}4_{/}Pashhur, Amariah, 
Malchijah, 
{I}5_{/}Hattush, 
Shebaniah, Malluch, 
{I}6_{/}Harim, Meremoth, 
Obadiah, {I}7_{/}Daniel, 
Ginnethon, Baruch, 
{I}8_{/}Meshullam, 
Abijah, Mijamin, 
{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, 
{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.
{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 
{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, 
{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.
{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. {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. 
{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. {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, 
{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{/}

{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. 
{I}2_{/}The people 
blessed all the men who 
volunteered to live in 
Jerusalem.
{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.
THE JEWISH POPULATION IN 
JERUSALEM{/}

{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; 
{I}5_{/}Maaseiah son of 
Baruch, grandson of 
Colhozeh, son of Hazaiah, 
son of Adaiah, son of 
Joiarib, son of 
Zechariah, descendant of 
Shelah. {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.
{I}9_{/}Joel son of 
Zichri was their leader, 
and Judah son of 
Hassenuah was second in 
command of the city.
{I}10_{/}Of the priests: 
Jedaiah son of Joiakin, 
son of Seraiah, son of 
Hilkiah, 
{I}11_{/}grandson of 
Meshullam, son of Zadok, 
son of Meraioth, son of 
Ahitub, who was the High 
Priest, {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, 
{I}16_{/}Shabbethai and 
Jozabad, the levitical 
leaders responsible for 
the outside work of the 
Temple of God; 
{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.
{I}21_{/}The workmen 
lived at Ophel; Ziha and 
Gishpa were in charge of 
the workmen. {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; {I}23_{/}there were 
royal regulations stating 
how the clans should take 
turns in leading the 
Temple music each day. 
{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, 
{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, {I}27_{/}Hazar-
shual, in Beersheba and 
its villages, {I}28_{/}in 
Ziklag, in Meconah and 
its villages, 
{I}29__{/}in Enrimmon, 
Zorah, Jarmuth, 
{I}30_{/}Zanoah, Adullam 
and their villages: thus, 
they settled from 
Beersheba as far as the 
Valley of Hinnom.
{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, {I}33_{/}Hazor, 
Ramah, Gittaim, 
{I}34_{/}Hadid, Zeboim, 
Neballat, {I}35_{/}Lod 
and Ono, and the Valley 
of the Craftsmen.
{I}36_{/}Some groups of 
Levites settled in Judah 
as well as in Benjamin.
{1}12{/}

{I}1_{/}These are the 
priests and the Levites 
who came back with 
Zerubbabel son of 
Shealtiel, and with the 
High Priest Jeshua:
{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.
{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.
{I}12_{/}In the days when 
Joiakim was High Priest 
the heads of the priestly 
clans were: clan of 
{I}13_{/}Seraiah, 
Meraiah; of Jeremiah, 
Hananiah; of Ezra, 
Meshullam; of Amariah, 
Jehohanan; {I}14_{/}of 
Malluchi, Jonathan; of 
Shebaniah, Joseph; 
{I}15_{/}of Harim, Adna; 
of Meremoth, Helkai; 
{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.
{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.
{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.
{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.
DEDICATION OF THE WALL OF 
JERUSALEM{/}

{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, {I}29_{/}Beth-
gilgal and the districts 
of Bega and Azmaveth 
gathered together in 
Jerusalem, because the 
singers had built 
themselves villages 
around Jerusalem. 
{I}30_{/}The priests and 
the Levites purified 
themselves, and then 
purified the people, the 
gates and the wall.
{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, 
{I}33_{/}and also 
Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 
{I}34_{/}Judah, Benjamin, 
Shemaiah and Jeremiah, 
{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, 
{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.
{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, 
{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.
{I}40_{/}Then the two 
choirs took their places 
in the House of God. Half 
of the counselors 
{I}41_{/}and the priests 
Eliakim, 
{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.
{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.
{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.
{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. {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.
{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{/}

{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, 
{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." 
{I}3_{/}When they heard 
this Law, they excluded 
from Israel all those of 
foreign descent.
SECOND MISSION OF 
NEHEMIAH{/}

{I}4_{/}Before this, the 
priest Eliashib had been 
caretaker of the chambers 
of the House of God. 
Since he was related to 
Tobiah, {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.
{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. 
{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 
{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.
NEHEMIAH OPPOSES SEVERAL 
ABUSES{/}

{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. 
{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. {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.
{I}14_{/}My God, remember 
the things I have done. 
Do not forget the good 
works I did for your 
House and its ceremonies.
{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.
{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. {I}17_{/}So 
I reprimanded the leaders 
of Judah, saying to them, 
"You have done great evil 
by not respecting the 
sabbath day.
{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."
{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.
{I}20_{/}Once or twice, 
some merchants who sold 
every kind of merchandise 
spent the night outside 
Jerusalem, {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. {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. {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. 
{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?"
{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. 
{I}29_{/}Remember this 
people, my God, for they 
defiled the priesthood 
and your covenant with 
the priests and Levites.
{I}30_{/}So I purified 
them from everything 
foreign. And I 
established regulations 
for the priests and the 
Levites, defining the 
tasks of everyone. 
{I}31_{/}I also fixed the 
time for the wood 
offering and for the 
firstfruits.
Remember me, my God, for 
my good!

