Nehemiah
Nehemiah 13
King James Version · tap any highlighted word for context
Nehemiah 13 — Scripture text (King James Version)
that day they read in the book of in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the and the should not come into the congregation of God for ever; Because they met not the children of with bread and with water, but hired against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. Now it came to pass, when they had heard , that they separated from all the mixed multitude. And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto : And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the , and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests. But in all this time was not I at : for in the two and thirtieth year of king of came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: And I came to , and understood of the evil that did for , in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of out of the chamber. Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense. And I perceived that the portions of the had not been given them: for the and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. Then brought all the of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries. And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and the scribe, and of the , Pedaiah: and next to them was the son of , the son of : for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren. Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof. In those days saw I in some treading winepresses the , and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into the day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. There dwelt men of also therein, which brought , and all manner of ware, and sold the unto the children of , and in . Then I contended with the nobles of , and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon by profaning the . And it came to pass, that when the gates of began to be dark before the , I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the : and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in the day. So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without once or twice. Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands you. From that time forth came they no more the . And I commanded the that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy . In those days also saw I that had married wives of , of , and of : And their children spake half in the speech of , and could not speak in the ’ language, but according to the language of each people. And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. Did not king of sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all : nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives? And one of the sons of , the son of the high priest, was son in law to the : therefore I chased him from me. Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the of the priesthood, and of the . Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the , every one in his business; And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the . Remember me, O my God, for good.