\id NEH  
\h Nehemiah 
\toc1 Nehemiah 
\toc2 Nehemiah 
\mt1 Nehemiah  
\c 1  
\s1 A Prayer of Nehemiah  
\p
\v 1  \w These are the words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of Nehemiah|strong="H5166"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hacaliah|strong="H2446"\w*:  
\p \w It so happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w that in the month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of Kislev|strong="H3691"\w*, \w in the twentieth|strong="H6242"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w*, \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w in Susa|strong="H7800"\w* \w the citadel|strong="H1002"\w*.  
\v 2  \w Hanani|strong="H2607"\w*, \w who was one|strong="H0259"\w* \w of my relatives|strong="H0251"\w*, \w along with some of the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w from Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w came to me,|strong="H7592"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w asked|strong="H7592"\w* \w them about the Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who had escaped|strong="H6413"\w* \w and had|strong="H0834"\w* \w survived|strong="H7604"\w* \w the exile|strong="H7628"\w*, \w and about Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.   
\p
\v 3  \w They said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to me, “The remnant|strong="H7604"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w remains|strong="H7604"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the exile|strong="H7628"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w in the province|strong="H4082"\w* \w are experiencing|strong="H7451"\w* \w considerable|strong="H1419"\w* \w adversity and reproach|strong="H2781"\w*. \w The wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w of Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w lies breached|strong="H6555"\w*, \w and its gates|strong="H8179"\w* \w have been burned|strong="H3341"\w* \w down|strong="H6555"\w*!”   
\p
\v 4  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w I heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w I sat down|strong="H3427"\w* \w abruptly,|strong="H1058"\w* \w crying|strong="H1058"\w* \w and mourning|strong="H0056"\w* \w for several days|strong="H3117"\w*. \w I continued|strong="H1961"\w* \w fasting|strong="H6684"\w* \w and praying|strong="H6419"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of heaven|strong="H8064"\w*.  
\v 5  \w Then I said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Please|strong="H0577"\w*, \w O \+nd LORD\+nd*|strong="H3069"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of heaven|strong="H8064"\w*, \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w and awesome|strong="H3372"\w* \w God|strong="H0410"\w*, \w who keeps|strong="H8104"\w* \w his loving|strong="H2617"\w* \w covenant|strong="H1285"\w* \w with those who love|strong="H0157"\w* \w him and obey|strong="H8104"\w* \w his commandments|strong="H4687"\w*,  
\v 6  \w may|strong="H4994"\w* \w your ear|strong="H0241"\w* \w be attentive|strong="H7183"\w* \w and your eyes|strong="H5869"\w* \w be open|strong="H6605"\w* \w to hear|strong="H8085"\w* \w the prayer|strong="H8605"\w* \w of your servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H0595"\w* \w am praying|strong="H6419"\w* \w to you today|strong="H3117"\w* \w throughout both day|strong="H3119"\w* \w and night|strong="H3915"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w behalf of your servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*. \w I am confessing|strong="H3034"\w* \w the sins|strong="H2403"\w* \w of the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w we have committed|strong="H2398"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* – \w both|strong="H5921"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w myself|strong="H0589"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w my|strong="H8085"\w* \w family|strong="H1004"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w sinned|strong="H2398"\w*.  
\v 7  \w We have behaved|strong="H2254"\w* \w corruptly against|strong="H2254"\w* \w you, not|strong="H3808"\w* \w obeying|strong="H8104"\w* \w the commandments|strong="H4687"\w*, \w the statutes|strong="H2706"\w*, \w and the judgments|strong="H4941"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w you commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w your servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w*.  
\v 8  \w Please|strong="H4994"\w* \w recall|strong="H2142"\w* \w the word|strong="H1697"\w* \w you commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w your servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w*\w : ‘If you|strong="H0859"\w* \w act unfaithfully|strong="H4603"\w*, \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will scatter|strong="H6327"\w* \w you among the nations|strong="H5971"\w*.  
\v 9  \w But if you repent|strong="H7725"\w* \w and obey|strong="H8104"\w* \w my commandments|strong="H4687"\w* \w and do|strong="H6213"\w* \w them, then even if|strong="H0518"\w* \w your dispersed|strong="H5080"\w* \w people are in the most remote|strong="H7097"\w* \w location|strong="H8064"\w*, \w I will gather|strong="H6908"\w* \w them from there and bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w them to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the place|strong="H4725"\w* \w I have chosen|strong="H0977"\w* \w for my name|strong="H8034"\w* \w to reside|strong="H7931"\w*.’  
\v 10  \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w are your servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w and your people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w whom|strong="H0834"\w* \w you have redeemed|strong="H6299"\w* \w by your mighty|strong="H2389"\w* \w strength|strong="H3581"\w* \w and by your powerful|strong="H2389"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 11  \w Please|strong="H0577"\w*, \w O|strong="H4994"\w* \w Lord|strong="H0136"\w*, \w listen|strong="H0241"\w* \w attentively|strong="H7183"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the prayer|strong="H8605"\w* \w of your servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w and to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the prayer|strong="H8605"\w* \w of your servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w who take pleasure|strong="H2655"\w* \w in showing respect|strong="H3372"\w* \w to your name|strong="H8034"\w*. \w Grant|strong="H4994"\w* \w your servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w success|strong="H6743"\w* \w today|strong="H3117"\w* \w and show|strong="H5414"\w* \w compassion|strong="H7356"\w* \w to me|strong="H6440"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w presence|strong="H6440"\w* \w of this|strong="H2088"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w*.”  
\p \w Now|strong="H0589"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w cupbearer|strong="H4945"\w* \w for the king|strong="H4428"\w*.   
\c 2  
\p
\v 1  \w Then in the month|strong="H2320"\w* \w of Nisan|strong="H5212"\w*, \w in the twentieth|strong="H6242"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w of King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Artaxerxes|strong="H0783"\w*, \w when wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w was brought to me,|strong="H5375"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w took|strong="H5375"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w and gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w it to the king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w Previously|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w been depressed|strong="H7451"\w* \w in the king’s presence|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\v 2  \w So the king|strong="H4428"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to me, “Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w do you appear|strong="H6440"\w* \w to be depressed|strong="H7451"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w aren’t|strong="H0369"\w* \w sick|strong="H2470"\w*\w ? What can|strong="H0369"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w be other than sadness|strong="H7455"\w* \w of heart|strong="H3820"\w*\w ?” This made me|strong="H3372"\w* \w very|strong="H3966"\w* \w fearful|strong="H7235"\w*.   
\p
\v 3  \w I replied|strong="H0559"\w* \w to the king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w “O|strong="H1004"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w live|strong="H2421"\w* \w forever|strong="H5769"\w*\w ! Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w would I not|strong="H3808"\w* \w appear dejected|strong="H1004"\w* \w when|strong="H0834"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w with the graves|strong="H6913"\w* \w of my ancestors|strong="H0001"\w* \w lies desolate|strong="H2717"\w* \w and its gates|strong="H8179"\w* \w destroyed|strong="H0398"\w* \w by fire|strong="H0784"\w*?”  
\v 4  \w The king|strong="H4428"\w* \w responded|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w it you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are seeking|strong="H1245"\w*\w ?” Then I quickly prayed|strong="H6419"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of heaven|strong="H8064"\w*  
\v 5  \w and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to the king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w “If|strong="H0518"\w* \w the king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is so inclined|strong="H2895"\w* \w and if|strong="H0518"\w* \w your servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w has|strong="H0834"\w* \w found favor|strong="H3190"\w* \w in your sight|strong="H6440"\w*, \w dispatch|strong="H7971"\w* \w me to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w with the graves|strong="H6913"\w* \w of my ancestors|strong="H0001"\w*, \w so|strong="H7971"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w I can|strong="H7971"\w* \w rebuild|strong="H1129"\w* \w it|strong="H0518"\w*.”  
\v 6  \w Then the king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w with his consort|strong="H7694"\w* \w sitting|strong="H3427"\w* \w beside|strong="H0681"\w* \w him, replied|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “How|strong="H4970"\w* \w long|strong="H5704"\w* \w would your trip|strong="H4109"\w* \w take|strong="H1961"\w*, \w and when|strong="H4970"\w* \w would you return|strong="H7725"\w*\w ?” Since the king|strong="H4428"\w* \w was amenable to dispatching|strong="H7971"\w* \w me,|strong="H5414"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w him a time|strong="H2165"\w*.  
\v 7  \w I said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to the king|strong="H4428"\w*, \w “If|strong="H0518"\w* \w the king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is so inclined|strong="H2895"\w*, \w let him give me letters|strong="H0107"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the governors|strong="H6346"\w* \w of Trans-Euphrates|strong="H5104"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w will enable me to travel|strong="H5674"\w* \w safely until|strong="H5704"\w* \w I reach|strong="H0935"\w* \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*,  
\v 8  \w and a letter|strong="H0107"\w* \w for|strong="H0413"\w* \w Asaph|strong="H0623"\w* \w the keeper|strong="H8104"\w* \w of the king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w nature preserve|strong="H6508"\w*, \w so that|strong="H0834"\w* \w he will give|strong="H5414"\w* \w me timber|strong="H6086"\w* \w for beams|strong="H7136"\w* \w for the|strong="H0853"\w* \w gates|strong="H8179"\w* \w of the fortress|strong="H1002"\w* \w adjacent to|strong="H0834"\w* \w the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w and for the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w and for the house|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w which|strong="H0834"\w* \w I go|strong="H0935"\w*.” \w So the king|strong="H4428"\w* \w granted|strong="H5414"\w* \w me these requests,|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w of my God|strong="H0430"\w* \w was on|strong="H5921"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*.  
\v 9  \w Then I went|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the governors|strong="H6346"\w* \w of Trans-Euphrates|strong="H5104"\w*, \w and I presented|strong="H5414"\w* \w to them the|strong="H0853"\w* \w letters|strong="H0107"\w* \w from the king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w The king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me officers|strong="H8269"\w* \w of the army|strong="H2428"\w* \w and horsemen|strong="H6571"\w*.  
\v 10  \w When|strong="H8085"\w* \w Sanballat|strong="H5571"\w* \w the Horonite|strong="H2772"\w* \w and Tobiah|strong="H2900"\w* \w the Ammonite|strong="H5984"\w* \w official|strong="H5650"\w* \w heard all this, they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were very displeased|strong="H1419"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w someone|strong="H0120"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w to seek|strong="H1245"\w* \w benefit|strong="H2896"\w* \w for the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*.   
\s1 Nehemiah \w Arrives|strong="H0935"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* Jerusalem  
\p
\v 11  \w So I came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w I had been there|strong="H8033"\w* \w for three|strong="H7969"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*,  
\v 12  \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w got|strong="H6965"\w* \w up during the night|strong="H3915"\w*, \w along with a few|strong="H4592"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w who were with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me. But I did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w anyone|strong="H0120"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w my God|strong="H0430"\w* \w was putting|strong="H5414"\w* \w on my heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w to do|strong="H6213"\w* \w for Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. \w There were no|strong="H0369"\w* \w animals|strong="H0929"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me, except|strong="H0518"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the one|strong="H0589"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w was riding|strong="H7392"\w*.  
\v 13  \w I proceeded|strong="H3318"\w* \w through the Valley|strong="H1516"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w by night|strong="H3915"\w*, \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w the direction|strong="H6440"\w* \w of the Well|strong="H5869"\w* \w of the Dragons|strong="H8577"\w* \w and the Dung|strong="H0830"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w inspecting|strong="H7663"\w* \w the walls|strong="H2346"\w* \w of Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w that had|strong="H0834"\w* \w been breached|strong="H6555"\w* \w and its gates|strong="H8179"\w* \w that had been destroyed|strong="H0398"\w* \w by fire|strong="H0784"\w*.  
\v 14  \w I passed|strong="H5674"\w* \w on to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the Gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w of the Well and the King’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w Pool|strong="H1295"\w*, \w where|strong="H4725"\w* \w there was not|strong="H0369"\w* \w enough room|strong="H4725"\w* \w for my animal|strong="H0929"\w* \w to pass|strong="H5674"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*.  
\v 15  \w I continued|strong="H1961"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w the valley|strong="H5158"\w* \w during the night|strong="H3915"\w*, \w inspecting|strong="H7663"\w* \w the wall|strong="H2346"\w*. \w Then I turned back|strong="H7725"\w* \w and came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to the Valley|strong="H1516"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w and so returned|strong="H7725"\w*.  
\v 16  \w The officials|strong="H5461"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w where|strong="H0575"\w* \w I had gone|strong="H1980"\w* \w or what|strong="H4100"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w had been doing|strong="H6213"\w*, \w for up to|strong="H5704"\w* \w this point|strong="H3651"\w* \w I had not|strong="H3808"\w* \w told|strong="H5046"\w* \w any of the Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w or the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w or the nobles|strong="H2715"\w* \w or the officials|strong="H5461"\w* \w or the rest|strong="H3499"\w* \w of the workers|strong="H4399"\w*.  
\v 17  \w Then I said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them|strong="H0413"\w*, \w “You|strong="H0859"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w the problem|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w we|strong="H0587"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w*\w : Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w is desolate|strong="H2717"\w* \w and its gates|strong="H8179"\w* \w are burned|strong="H3341"\w*. \w Come on! Let’s|strong="H1980"\w* \w rebuild|strong="H1129"\w* \w the wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w of Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w so that this reproach|strong="H2781"\w* \w will not|strong="H3808"\w* \w continue|strong="H5750"\w*.”  
\v 18  \w Then I related|strong="H5046"\w* \w to them how the good|strong="H2896"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w of my God|strong="H0430"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w me and what|strong="H1697"\w* \w the king|strong="H4428"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to me. Then they replied|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Let’s begin|strong="H6965"\w* \w rebuilding|strong="H1129"\w* \w right away!”|strong="H3027"\w* \w So|strong="H0834"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* readied \w themselves|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* project.  
\v 19  \w But when|strong="H8085"\w* \w Sanballat|strong="H5571"\w* \w the Horonite|strong="H2772"\w*, \w Tobiah|strong="H2900"\w* \w the Ammonite|strong="H5984"\w* \w official|strong="H5650"\w*, \w and Geshem|strong="H1654"\w* \w the Arab|strong="H6163"\w* \w heard all this,|strong="H3932"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* derided \w us and expressed contempt|strong="H0959"\w* \w toward us|strong="H5921"\w*. \w They said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is this|strong="H2088"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are doing|strong="H6213"\w*\w ? Are you|strong="H0859"\w* \w rebelling|strong="H4775"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w the king|strong="H4428"\w*?”  
\v 20  \w I responded|strong="H7725"\w* \w to them by saying|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “The God|strong="H0430"\w* \w of heaven|strong="H8064"\w* \w will prosper|strong="H6743"\w* \w us. We|strong="H0587"\w* \w his servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w will start|strong="H6965"\w* \w the rebuilding|strong="H1129"\w*. \w But|strong="H0369"\w* \w you have|strong="H2506"\w* \w no|strong="H2506"\w* \w just or ancient|strong="H2146"\w* \w right|strong="H6666"\w* \w in Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.”   
\c 3  
\p
\v 1  \w Then Eliashib|strong="H0475"\w* \w the high|strong="H1419"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w and his priestly|strong="H3548"\w* \w colleagues|strong="H0251"\w* \w arose|strong="H6965"\w* \w and built|strong="H1129"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Sheep|strong="H6629"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w dedicated|strong="H6942"\w* \w it and erected|strong="H5975"\w* \w its doors|strong="H1817"\w*, \w working as far as|strong="H5704"\w* \w the Tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w of the Hundred|strong="H3968"\w* \w and|strong="H4026"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w of Hananel|strong="H2606"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The men|strong="H0582"\w* \w of Jericho|strong="H3405"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w adjacent|strong="H3027"\w* \w to it, and Zaccur|strong="H2139"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Imri|strong="H0566"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w adjacent|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\p
\v 3  \w The sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hassenaah|strong="H5570"\w* \w rebuilt|strong="H1129"\w* \w the Fish|strong="H1709"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w laid its beams|strong="H7136"\w* \w and positioned|strong="H5975"\w* \w its doors|strong="H1817"\w*, \w its bolts|strong="H4514"\w*, \w and its bars|strong="H1280"\w*.  
\v 4  \w Meremoth|strong="H4822"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Uriah|strong="H0223"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hakoz|strong="H6976"\w*, \w worked on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the section adjacent|strong="H2388"\w* \w to them. Meshullam|strong="H4918"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Berechiah|strong="H1296"\w* \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Meshezabel|strong="H4898"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the section next to them. And Zadok|strong="H6659"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Baana|strong="H1195"\w* \w worked on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the section adjacent|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 5  \w The men of Tekoa|strong="H8621"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the section adjacent to them, but their town leaders|strong="H0117"\w* \w would not|strong="H3808"\w* \w assist|strong="H6677"\w* \w with the work|strong="H5656"\w* \w of their master|strong="H0113"\w*.   
\p
\v 6  \w Joiada|strong="H3111"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Paseah|strong="H6454"\w* \w and Meshullam|strong="H4918"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Besodeiah|strong="H1152"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w on the Jeshanah|strong="H3465"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w laid its beams|strong="H7136"\w* \w and positioned|strong="H5975"\w* \w its doors|strong="H1817"\w*, \w its bolts|strong="H4514"\w*, \w and its bars|strong="H1280"\w*.  
\v 7  \w Adjacent|strong="H3027"\w* \w to them worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w Melatiah|strong="H4424"\w* \w the Gibeonite|strong="H1393"\w* \w and Jadon|strong="H3036"\w* \w the Meronothite|strong="H4824"\w*, \w who were men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Gibeon|strong="H1391"\w* \w and Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*. \w These towns were under the jurisdiction|strong="H5676"\w* \w of the governor|strong="H6346"\w* \w of Trans-Euphrates|strong="H5104"\w*.  
\v 8  \w Uzziel|strong="H5816"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Harhaiah|strong="H2736"\w*, \w a member of the goldsmiths|strong="H6884"\w*’ \w guild, worked on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the section adjacent|strong="H2388"\w* \w to him. Hananiah|strong="H2608"\w*, \w a member|strong="H1121"\w* \w of the perfumers|strong="H7546"\w*’ \w guild, worked on the section adjacent|strong="H2388"\w* \w to him. They plastered|strong="H5800"\w* \w the city wall of Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w as far|strong="H5704"\w* \w as the Broad|strong="H7342"\w* \w Wall|strong="H2346"\w*.  
\v 9  \w Rephaiah|strong="H7509"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hur|strong="H2354"\w*, \w head|strong="H8269"\w* \w of a half-district|strong="H6418"\w* \w of Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the section adjacent|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 10  \w Jedaiah|strong="H3042"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Harumaph|strong="H2739"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w on the section adjacent|strong="H3027"\w* \w to them opposite|strong="H5048"\w* \w his house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w and Hattush|strong="H2407"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hashabneiah|strong="H2813"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w on the section adjacent|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 11  \w Malkijah|strong="H4441"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Harim|strong="H2766"\w* \w and Hasshub|strong="H2815"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Pahath-Moab|strong="H6355"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w on another|strong="H8145"\w* \w section|strong="H4060"\w* \w and the Tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w of the Fire Pots|strong="H8574"\w*.  
\v 12  \w Shallum|strong="H7967"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hallohesh|strong="H3873"\w*, \w head|strong="H8269"\w* \w of a half-district|strong="H6418"\w* \w of Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the section adjacent|strong="H3027"\w* \w to him, assisted by his daughters|strong="H1323"\w*.   
\p
\v 13  \w Hanun|strong="H2586"\w* \w and the residents|strong="H3427"\w* \w of Zanoah|strong="H2182"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w on the Valley|strong="H1516"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w rebuilt|strong="H1129"\w* \w it and positioned|strong="H5975"\w* \w its doors|strong="H1817"\w*, \w its bolts|strong="H4514"\w*, \w and its bars|strong="H1280"\w*, \w in addition to working on fifteen hundred feet|strong="H0520"\w* \w of the wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w as far|strong="H5704"\w* \w as the Dung|strong="H0830"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*.   
\p
\v 14  \w Malkijah|strong="H4441"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Recab|strong="H7394"\w*, \w head|strong="H8269"\w* \w of the district|strong="H6418"\w* \w of Beth Hakkerem|strong="H1021"\w*, \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w on the Dung|strong="H0830"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w He rebuilt|strong="H1129"\w* \w it and positioned|strong="H5975"\w* \w its doors|strong="H1817"\w*, \w its bolts|strong="H4514"\w*, \w and its bars|strong="H1280"\w*.   
\p
\v 15  \w Shallun|strong="H7968"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Col-Hozeh|strong="H3626"\w*, \w head|strong="H8269"\w* \w of the district|strong="H6418"\w* \w of Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*, \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w on the Fountain|strong="H5869"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w rebuilt|strong="H1129"\w* \w it, put on its roof|strong="H2926"\w*, \w and positioned|strong="H5975"\w* \w its doors|strong="H1817"\w*, \w its bolts|strong="H4514"\w*, \w and its bars|strong="H1280"\w*. \w In addition, he rebuilt the wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w of the Pool|strong="H1295"\w* \w of Siloam|strong="H7975"\w*, \w by the royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w garden|strong="H1588"\w*, \w as far as|strong="H5704"\w* \w the steps|strong="H4609"\w* \w that go down|strong="H3381"\w* \w from the City|strong="H5892"\w* \w of David|strong="H1732"\w*.  
\v 16  \w Nehemiah|strong="H5166"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Azbuk|strong="H5802"\w*, \w head|strong="H8269"\w* \w of a half-district|strong="H6418"\w* \w of Beth Zur|strong="H1049"\w*, \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w after|strong="H0310"\w* \w him as far as|strong="H5704"\w* \w the tombs|strong="H6913"\w* \w of David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H5704"\w* \w the artificial pool|strong="H1295"\w* \w and|strong="H5704"\w* \w the House|strong="H1004"\w* \w of the Warriors|strong="H1368"\w*.   
\p
\v 17  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w him the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w – Rehum|strong="H7348"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Bani|strong="H1137"\w* \w and|strong="H2811"\w* \w after|strong="H0310"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w* \w Hashabiah|strong="H2811"\w*, \w head|strong="H8269"\w* \w of half|strong="H2677"\w* \w the district|strong="H6418"\w* \w of Keilah|strong="H7084"\w*, \w for his district|strong="H6418"\w*.  
\v 18  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w him their relatives|strong="H0251"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w – Binnui|strong="H0942"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Henadad|strong="H2582"\w*, \w head|strong="H8269"\w* \w of a half-district|strong="H6418"\w* \w of Keilah|strong="H7084"\w*.  
\v 19  \w Adjacent|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w him Ezer|strong="H5829"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w*, \w head|strong="H8269"\w* \w of Mizpah|strong="H4709"\w*, \w worked|strong="H4060"\w* \w on another|strong="H8145"\w* \w section|strong="H4060"\w*, \w opposite|strong="H5048"\w* \w the ascent|strong="H5927"\w* \w to the armory|strong="H5402"\w* \w at the buttress|strong="H4740"\w*.  
\v 20  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w him Baruch|strong="H1263"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Zabbai|strong="H2079"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w on another section|strong="H8145"\w*, \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the buttress|strong="H4740"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the door|strong="H6607"\w* \w of the house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of Eliashib|strong="H0475"\w* \w the high|strong="H1419"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w*.  
\v 21  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w him Meremoth|strong="H4822"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Uriah|strong="H0223"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hakkoz|strong="H6976"\w*, \w worked on another|strong="H8145"\w* \w section|strong="H4060"\w* \w from the door|strong="H6607"\w* \w of Eliashib’s|strong="H0475"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the end|strong="H8503"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w it|strong="H5704"\w*.   
\p
\v 22  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w him the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w*, \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of the nearby district|strong="H3603"\w*.  
\v 23  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w them Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w and Hasshub|strong="H2815"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w opposite|strong="H5048"\w* \w their house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w them Azariah|strong="H5838"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Maaseiah|strong="H4641"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Ananiah|strong="H6055"\w*, \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w near|strong="H0681"\w* \w his house|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 24  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w him Binnui|strong="H1131"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Henadad|strong="H2582"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w on|strong="H4060"\w* \w another|strong="H8145"\w* \w section|strong="H8145"\w*, \w from the house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of Azariah|strong="H5838"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the buttress|strong="H4740"\w* \w and the corner|strong="H6438"\w*.  
\v 25  \w After him Palal|strong="H6420"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Uzai|strong="H0186"\w* \w worked|strong="H5048"\w* \w opposite|strong="H5048"\w* \w the buttress|strong="H4740"\w* \w and the tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w that protrudes|strong="H3318"\w* \w from the upper|strong="H5945"\w* \w palace|strong="H1004"\w* \w of the court|strong="H2691"\w* \w of the guard|strong="H4307"\w*. \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w him Pedaiah|strong="H6305"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Parosh|strong="H6551"\w*  
\v 26  \w and the temple servants|strong="H5411"\w* \w who|strong="H3427"\w* \w were living|strong="H3427"\w* \w on Ophel|strong="H6077"\w* \w worked|strong="H5704"\w* \w up|strong="H5704"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the area|strong="H5704"\w* \w opposite|strong="H5048"\w* \w the Water|strong="H4325"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w toward the east|strong="H4217"\w* \w and the protruding|strong="H3318"\w* \w tower|strong="H4026"\w*.  
\v 27  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w them the men of Tekoa|strong="H8621"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w on another section|strong="H8145"\w*, \w from opposite|strong="H5048"\w* \w the great|strong="H1419"\w* \w protruding|strong="H3318"\w* \w tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w of Ophel|strong="H6077"\w*.   
\p
\v 28  \w Above|strong="H5921"\w* \w the Horse|strong="H5483"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w*, \w each|strong="H0376"\w* \w in front|strong="H5048"\w* \w of his house|strong="H1004"\w*.  
\v 29  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w them Zadok|strong="H6659"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Immer|strong="H0564"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w opposite|strong="H5048"\w* \w his house|strong="H1004"\w*, \w and after|strong="H0310"\w* \w him Shemaiah|strong="H8098"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Shecaniah|strong="H7935"\w*, \w guard|strong="H8104"\w* \w at the East|strong="H4217"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w worked|strong="H2388"\w*.  
\v 30  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w him|strong="H2608"\w* \w Hananiah|strong="H2608"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Shelemiah|strong="H8018"\w*, \w and Hanun|strong="H2586"\w*, \w the sixth|strong="H8345"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Zalaph|strong="H6764"\w*, \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w on another section|strong="H8145"\w*. \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w them Meshullam|strong="H4918"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Berechiah|strong="H1296"\w* \w worked opposite|strong="H5048"\w* \w his quarters|strong="H5393"\w*.  
\v 31  \w After|strong="H0310"\w* \w him Malkijah|strong="H4441"\w*, \w one of the goldsmiths|strong="H6885"\w*, \w worked|strong="H2388"\w* \w as far|strong="H5704"\w* \w as the house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of the temple servants|strong="H5411"\w* \w and the traders|strong="H7402"\w*, \w opposite|strong="H5048"\w* \w the Inspection|strong="H4663"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w and up to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the room|strong="H5944"\w* \w above the corner|strong="H6438"\w*.  
\v 32  \w And between|strong="H0996"\w* \w the room|strong="H5944"\w* \w above the corner|strong="H6438"\w* \w and the Sheep|strong="H6629"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w the goldsmiths|strong="H6884"\w* \w and traders|strong="H7402"\w* \w worked|strong="H2388"\w*.   
\c 4  
\p
\v 1  \w Now|strong="H1961"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w Sanballat|strong="H5571"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w we|strong="H0587"\w* \w were rebuilding|strong="H1129"\w* \w the wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w he became angry|strong="H2734"\w* \w and was quite|strong="H7235"\w* \w upset|strong="H3707"\w*. \w He derided|strong="H3932"\w* \w the Jews|strong="H3064"\w*,  
\v 2  \w and in the presence|strong="H6440"\w* \w of his colleagues|strong="H0251"\w* \w and the army|strong="H2426"\w* \w of Samaria|strong="H8111"\w* \w he said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “What|strong="H4100"\w* \w are these feeble|strong="H0537"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w doing|strong="H6213"\w*\w ? Will they be left|strong="H5800"\w* \w to themselves|strong="H1992"\w*\w ?|strong="H2076"\w* \w Will|strong="H3389"\w* \w they|strong="H0935"\w* again \w offer|strong="H6213"\w* sacrifice\w ? Will they finish|strong="H3615"\w* \w this in a day|strong="H3117"\w*\w ? Can they bring these|strong="H1992"\w* \w burnt|strong="H8313"\w* \w stones|strong="H0068"\w* \w to life|strong="H2421"\w* \w again from piles|strong="H6194"\w* \w of dust|strong="H6083"\w*?”   
\p
\v 3  \w Then Tobiah|strong="H2900"\w* \w the Ammonite|strong="H5984"\w*, \w who was close by|strong="H0681"\w*, \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “If even|strong="H1571"\w* \w a fox|strong="H7776"\w* \w were to climb up|strong="H5927"\w* \w on what|strong="H0834"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w are building|strong="H1129"\w*, \w it would break down|strong="H6555"\w* \w their wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w of stones|strong="H0068"\w*!”   
\p
\v 4  \w Hear|strong="H8085"\w*, \w O our God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w we are despised|strong="H0939"\w*\w ! Return|strong="H7725"\w* \w their reproach|strong="H2781"\w* \w on their own head|strong="H7218"\w*\w ! Reduce|strong="H5414"\w* \w them to plunder|strong="H0961"\w* \w in a land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of exile|strong="H7633"\w*!  
\v 5  \w Do not|strong="H0408"\w* \w cover|strong="H3680"\w* \w their iniquity|strong="H5771"\w*, \w and do not|strong="H0408"\w* \w wipe out|strong="H4229"\w* \w their sin|strong="H2403"\w* \w from before|strong="H6440"\w* \w them. For|strong="H3588"\w* \w they have bitterly offended|strong="H5048"\w* \w the builders|strong="H1129"\w*!   
\p
\v 6  \w So we rebuilt|strong="H1129"\w* \w the wall|strong="H2346"\w*, \w and the entire|strong="H3605"\w* \w wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w was joined together|strong="H7194"\w* \w up to|strong="H5704"\w* \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w its height.|strong="H5971"\w* \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H3427"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* enthusiastic \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* work.   
\p
\v 7  \w When|strong="H8085"\w* \w Sanballat|strong="H5571"\w*, \w Tobiah|strong="H2900"\w*, \w the Arabs|strong="H6163"\w*, \w the Ammonites|strong="H5984"\w*, \w and the people of Ashdod|strong="H0796"\w* \w heard that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the restoration|strong="H0724"\w* \w of the walls|strong="H2346"\w* \w of Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w had moved ahead and that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the breaches|strong="H6555"\w* \w had begun|strong="H2490"\w* \w to be closed|strong="H5640"\w*, \w they were very|strong="H3966"\w* \w angry|strong="H2734"\w*.  
\v 8  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w of them conspired|strong="H7194"\w* \w together|strong="H3162"\w* \w to move|strong="H0935"\w* \w with armed forces|strong="H3898"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w and to create|strong="H6213"\w* \w a disturbance|strong="H8442"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*.  
\v 9  \w So we prayed|strong="H6419"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w our God|strong="H0430"\w* \w and stationed|strong="H5975"\w* \w a guard|strong="H4929"\w* \w to protect against|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H3119"\w* \w both|strong="H3605"\w* day \w and night|strong="H3915"\w*.  
\v 10  \w Then those|strong="H3782"\w* \w in Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “The strength|strong="H3581"\w* \w of the laborers|strong="H5449"\w* \w has failed! The debris|strong="H7235"\w* \w is so great|strong="H7235"\w* \w that we|strong="H0587"\w* \w are unable|strong="H3201"\w* \w to rebuild|strong="H1129"\w* \w the wall|strong="H2346"\w*.”   
\p
\v 11  \w Our adversaries|strong="H6862"\w* \w also boasted,|strong="H3045"\w* “Before \w they|strong="H5375"\w* \w are|strong="H3027"\w* aware \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w anticipate|strong="H5704"\w* \w anything, we will come|strong="H0935"\w* \w in among|strong="H8432"\w* \w them and kill|strong="H2026"\w* \w them, and we will bring this work|strong="H4399"\w* \w to a halt|strong="H7673"\w*!”   
\p
\v 12  \w So it happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w the Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who were living|strong="H3427"\w* \w near|strong="H0681"\w* \w them came|strong="H0935"\w* \w and warned|strong="H0559"\w* \w us repeatedly|strong="H6471"\w* \w about all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the schemes|strong="H4725"\w* \w they were plotting|strong="H7725"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w us|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\p
\v 13  \w So|strong="H5975"\w* \w I stationed|strong="H5975"\w* \w people at the lower|strong="H8482"\w* \w places|strong="H4725"\w* \w behind|strong="H0310"\w* \w the wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w in the exposed|strong="H6708"\w* \w places.|strong="H5975"\w* \w I|strong="H0559"\w* stationed \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w by families|strong="H4940"\w*, \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w their swords|strong="H2719"\w*, \w spears|strong="H7420"\w*, \w and bows|strong="H7198"\w*.  
\v 14  \w When I|strong="H7200"\w* \w had made an inspection|strong="H7200"\w*, \w I stood up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the nobles|strong="H2715"\w*, \w the officials|strong="H5461"\w*, \w and the rest|strong="H3499"\w* \w of the people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w “Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w be afraid|strong="H3372"\w* \w of them. Remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w the great|strong="H1419"\w* \w and awesome|strong="H3372"\w* \w Lord|strong="H0136"\w*, \w and fight|strong="H3898"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w behalf of your brothers|strong="H0251"\w*, \w your sons|strong="H1121"\w*, \w your daughters|strong="H1323"\w*, \w your wives|strong="H0802"\w*, \w and your families|strong="H1004"\w*!”   
\p
\v 15  \w It so happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w when our adversaries|strong="H0341"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w we were aware|strong="H3045"\w* \w of these matters,|strong="H0430"\w* God \w frustrated|strong="H6565"\w* \w their intentions|strong="H6098"\w*. \w Then all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of us returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the wall|strong="H2346"\w*, \w each|strong="H0376"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w his own work|strong="H4399"\w*.  
\v 16  \w From|strong="H4480"\w* \w that day|strong="H3117"\w* \w forward, half|strong="H2677"\w* \w of my men|strong="H5288"\w* \w were doing|strong="H6213"\w* \w the work|strong="H4399"\w* \w and half|strong="H2677"\w* \w of them were taking up|strong="H2388"\w* \w spears|strong="H7420"\w*, \w shields|strong="H4043"\w*, \w bows|strong="H7198"\w*, \w and body armor|strong="H8302"\w*. \w Now the officers|strong="H8269"\w* \w were behind|strong="H0310"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the people|strong="H1004"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w*  
\v 17  \w who were rebuilding|strong="H1129"\w* \w the wall|strong="H2346"\w*. \w Those who were carrying|strong="H5375"\w* \w loads|strong="H5447"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w so|strong="H0259"\w* \w by|strong="H0376"\w* \w keeping|strong="H4929"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w on the work|strong="H4399"\w* \w and the other|strong="H0259"\w* \w on their weapon|strong="H7973"\w*.  
\v 18  \w The builders|strong="H1129"\w* \w to a man|strong="H0376"\w* \w had their swords|strong="H2719"\w* \w strapped|strong="H0631"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w their sides|strong="H4975"\w* \w while they were building|strong="H1129"\w*. \w But the trumpeter|strong="H7782"\w* \w remained with|strong="H0681"\w* me.   
\p
\v 19  \w I said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the nobles|strong="H2715"\w*, \w the officials|strong="H5461"\w*, \w and the rest|strong="H3499"\w* \w of the people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w “The work|strong="H4399"\w* \w is demanding|strong="H7235"\w* \w and extensive|strong="H7342"\w*, \w and we|strong="H0587"\w* \w are spread|strong="H6504"\w* \w out on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the wall|strong="H2346"\w*, \w far|strong="H7350"\w* \w removed from one|strong="H0376"\w* \w another|strong="H0251"\w*.  
\v 20  \w Wherever|strong="H4725"\w* \w you hear|strong="H8085"\w* \w the sound|strong="H6963"\w* \w of the trumpet|strong="H7782"\w*, \w gather|strong="H6908"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w with us|strong="H0413"\w*. \w Our God|strong="H0430"\w* \w will fight|strong="H3898"\w* for us!”   
\p
\v 21  \w So we|strong="H0587"\w* \w worked|strong="H4399"\w* \w on,|strong="H2677"\w* with half \w holding|strong="H2388"\w* \w spears|strong="H7420"\w*, \w from dawn|strong="H7837"\w* \w till|strong="H5704"\w* \w dusk|strong="H3556"\w*.  
\v 22  \w At that time|strong="H6256"\w* \w I instructed|strong="H0559"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w “Let every man|strong="H0376"\w* \w and his coworker|strong="H5288"\w* \w spend|strong="H3885"\w* \w the night in|strong="H8432"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w and let them be|strong="H1961"\w* \w guards for us by night|strong="H3915"\w* \w and workers|strong="H4929"\w* \w by day|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 23  \w We|strong="H0587"\w* \w did not change|strong="H6584"\w* \w clothes|strong="H0899"\w* – \w not|strong="H0369"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w*, \w nor my relatives|strong="H0251"\w*, \w nor my workers|strong="H5288"\w*, \w nor|strong="H0369"\w* \w the watchmen|strong="H4929"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w were with|strong="H0310"\w* \w me. Each|strong="H0376"\w* \w had his weapon|strong="H7973"\w*, \w even when getting a drink of water|strong="H4325"\w*.   
\c 5  
\p
\v 1  \w Then there|strong="H1961"\w* \w was a great|strong="H1419"\w* \w outcry|strong="H6818"\w* \w from the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and their wives|strong="H0802"\w* \w against their fellow|strong="H0251"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w*.  
\v 2  \w There|strong="H3426"\w* \w were those who|strong="H0834"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “With our sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w and daughters|strong="H1323"\w*, \w we|strong="H0587"\w* \w are many|strong="H7227"\w*. \w We must obtain|strong="H3947"\w* \w grain|strong="H1715"\w* \w in order to eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w and stay alive|strong="H2421"\w*.”  
\v 3  \w There|strong="H3426"\w* \w were others who|strong="H0834"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “We|strong="H0587"\w* \w are putting up|strong="H6148"\w* \w our fields|strong="H7704"\w*, \w our vineyards|strong="H3754"\w*, \w and our houses|strong="H1004"\w* \w as collateral|strong="H6148"\w* \w in order to obtain|strong="H3947"\w* \w grain|strong="H1715"\w* \w during the famine|strong="H7458"\w*.”  
\v 4  \w Then there|strong="H3426"\w* \w were those who|strong="H0834"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “We have borrowed|strong="H3867"\w* \w money|strong="H3701"\w* \w to pay our taxes|strong="H4060"\w* \w to the king|strong="H4428"\w* \w on our fields|strong="H7704"\w* \w and our vineyards|strong="H3754"\w*.  
\v 5  \w And now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w though we share the same flesh|strong="H1320"\w* \w and blood|strong="H1320"\w* \w as our fellow|strong="H2009"\w* \w countrymen|strong="H0251"\w*, \w and our children|strong="H1121"\w* \w are just like their children|strong="H1121"\w*, \w still we|strong="H0587"\w* \w have found|strong="H3533"\w* \w it necessary to subject|strong="H3533"\w* \w our sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w and daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w to slavery|strong="H5650"\w*. \w Some of our daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w have been subjected to slavery|strong="H3533"\w*, \w while we are powerless to help|strong="H3027"\w*, \w since our fields|strong="H7704"\w* \w and vineyards|strong="H3754"\w* \w now belong to other people|strong="H0312"\w*.”   
\p
\v 6  \w I was very|strong="H3966"\w* \w angry|strong="H2734"\w* \w when I heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w their outcry|strong="H2201"\w* \w and these|strong="H0428"\w* \w complaints|strong="H1697"\w*.  
\v 7  \w I considered|strong="H4427"\w* \w these things carefully|strong="H7378"\w* \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w then|strong="H0859"\w* registered \w a|strong="H5414"\w* complaint \w with the|strong="H0853"\w* \w wealthy|strong="H2715"\w* \w and the|strong="H0853"\w* \w officials|strong="H5461"\w*. \w I said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them, “Each|strong="H0376"\w* \w one of you|strong="H0859"\w* \w is seizing|strong="H5383"\w* \w the collateral|strong="H5378"\w* \w from|strong="H5383"\w* \w your own countrymen|strong="H0251"\w*\w !”|strong="H5414"\w* \w Because|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w called|strong="H0559"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w a great|strong="H1419"\w* \w public assembly|strong="H6952"\w*.  
\v 8  \w I said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them, “To the extent possible we|strong="H0587"\w* \w have bought|strong="H7069"\w* \w back our fellow|strong="H0251"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w who had been sold|strong="H4376"\w* \w to the Gentiles|strong="H1471"\w*. \w But now you yourselves|strong="H0859"\w* \w want to sell|strong="H4376"\w* \w your own countrymen|strong="H0251"\w*, \w so that we can then buy them back!” They were utterly silent|strong="H2790"\w*, \w and could find|strong="H4672"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w to say|strong="H1696"\w*.   
\p
\v 9  \w Then I|strong="H0559"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “The thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are doing|strong="H6213"\w* \w is wrong!|strong="H3808"\w* \w Should|strong="H0559"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w conduct yourselves|strong="H3374"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w fear|strong="H3374"\w* \w of our God|strong="H0430"\w* \w in order to avoid|strong="H1980"\w* \w the reproach|strong="H2781"\w* \w of the Gentiles|strong="H1471"\w* \w who are our enemies|strong="H0341"\w*?  
\v 10  \w Even|strong="H1571"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w and my relatives|strong="H0251"\w* \w and my associates|strong="H5288"\w* \w are lending|strong="H5383"\w* \w them money|strong="H3701"\w* \w and grain|strong="H1715"\w*. \w But|strong="H5800"\w* \w let us abandon|strong="H5800"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w practice of seizing|strong="H4994"\w* \w collateral|strong="H4855"\w*!  
\v 11  \w This very day|strong="H3117"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to them their fields|strong="H7704"\w*, \w their vineyards|strong="H3754"\w*, \w their olive trees|strong="H2132"\w*, \w and their houses|strong="H1004"\w*, \w along with the interest|strong="H3967"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w you are|strong="H0859"\w* \w exacting|strong="H5383"\w* \w from them on the money|strong="H3701"\w*, \w the grain|strong="H1715"\w*, \w the new wine|strong="H8492"\w*, \w and the olive oil|strong="H3323"\w*.”   
\p
\v 12  \w They replied|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “We will return|strong="H7725"\w* \w these|strong="H1992"\w* \w things,|strong="H3808"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w we|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w longer demand|strong="H1245"\w* \w anything from them. We will do|strong="H6213"\w* \w just|strong="H0834"\w* \w as you|strong="H0859"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*.” \w Then I called|strong="H7121"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w and made the wealthy and the officials|strong="H7650"\w* \w swear|strong="H7650"\w* \w to do|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w had been|strong="H2088"\w* \w promised|strong="H7650"\w*.  
\v 13  \w I also|strong="H1571"\w* \w shook out|strong="H5287"\w* \w my garment|strong="H2684"\w*, \w and I said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “In this way may God|strong="H0430"\w* \w shake out|strong="H5287"\w* \w from his house|strong="H1004"\w* \w and his property|strong="H3018"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w person|strong="H0376"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w does not|strong="H3808"\w* \w carry out|strong="H6965"\w* \w this matter|strong="H1697"\w*. \w In this|strong="H2088"\w* \w way may he be|strong="H1961"\w* \w shaken out|strong="H5287"\w* \w and emptied|strong="H7386"\w*\w !” All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the assembly|strong="H6951"\w* \w replied|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “So be it|strong="H0543"\w*\w !” and they praised|strong="H1984"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \sc  \+w LORD|strong="H3069"\+w*\sc*\w . Then the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w as they had promised|strong="H1697"\w*.   
\p
\v 14  \w From|strong="H1571"\w* \w the day|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H6680"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w appointed|strong="H6680"\w* \w governor|strong="H6346"\w* \w in the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w that is, from the twentieth|strong="H6242"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w the thirty-second|strong="H8147"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w of King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Artaxerxes|strong="H0783"\w* \w – twelve|strong="H6240"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w all|strong="H5704"\w* – \w neither|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w my|strong="H1961"\w* \w relatives|strong="H0251"\w* \w ate|strong="H0398"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w allotted|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w governor|strong="H6346"\w*.  
\v 15  \w But the former|strong="H7223"\w* \w governors|strong="H6346"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w preceded|strong="H6440"\w* \w me had burdened|strong="H3513"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w and had taken|strong="H3947"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w and wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w from them, in addition|strong="H0310"\w* \w to|strong="H0705"\w* \w forty|strong="H0705"\w* \w shekels|strong="H8255"\w* \w of silver|strong="H3701"\w*. \w Their associates|strong="H5288"\w* \w were also|strong="H1571"\w* \w domineering|strong="H7980"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w But I|strong="H0589"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w behave|strong="H6213"\w* \w in this way|strong="H3651"\w*, \w due to|strong="H6440"\w* \w my fear|strong="H3374"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w*.  
\v 16  \w I gave myself|strong="H1571"\w* \w to the work|strong="H4399"\w* \w on this|strong="H2063"\w* \w wall|strong="H2346"\w*, \w without even|strong="H1571"\w* \w purchasing|strong="H7069"\w* \w a field|strong="H7704"\w*. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w my associates|strong="H5288"\w* \w were gathered|strong="H6908"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w for the work|strong="H4399"\w*.   
\p
\v 17  \w There were 150|strong="H2572"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w and officials|strong="H5461"\w* \w who dined|strong="H7979"\w* \w with me routinely|strong="H0376"\w*, \w in addition to those|strong="H0376"\w* \w who came|strong="H0935"\w* \w to us|strong="H0413"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w all around|strong="H5439"\w* \w us|strong="H0413"\w*.  
\v 18  \w Every day|strong="H3117"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w ox|strong="H7794"\w*, \w six|strong="H8337"\w* \w select|strong="H1305"\w* \w sheep|strong="H6629"\w*, \w and some birds|strong="H6833"\w* \w were prepared|strong="H6213"\w* \w for me, and every|strong="H0996"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w kinds of wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w in abundance|strong="H7235"\w*. \w Despite|strong="H5973"\w* \w all this|strong="H2088"\w* \w I did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w require|strong="H1245"\w* \w the food|strong="H3899"\w* \w allotted to the governor|strong="H6346"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the work|strong="H5656"\w* \w was demanding|strong="H3513"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*.   
\p
\v 19  \w Please remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w me for good|strong="H2896"\w*, \w O my God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w for all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w I have done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for this|strong="H2088"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*.   
\c 6  
\p
\v 1  \w When|strong="H8085"\w* \w Sanballat|strong="H5571"\w*, \w Tobiah|strong="H2900"\w*, \w Geshem|strong="H1654"\w* \w the Arab|strong="H6163"\w*, \w and the rest|strong="H3499"\w* \w of our enemies|strong="H0341"\w* \w heard that|strong="H3588"\w* \w I had rebuilt|strong="H1129"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w and no|strong="H3808"\w* \w breach|strong="H6556"\w* \w remained|strong="H3498"\w* \w in it (even|strong="H1571"\w* \w though up to|strong="H5704"\w* \w that time|strong="H6256"\w* \w I had not|strong="H3808"\w* \w positioned|strong="H5975"\w* \w doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w in the gates|strong="H8179"\w*),  
\v 2  \w Sanballat|strong="H5571"\w* \w and Geshem|strong="H1654"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w word to me|strong="H0413"\w* \w saying|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Come on! Let’s|strong="H1980"\w* \w set up a time to meet|strong="H3259"\w* \w together|strong="H3162"\w* \w at Kephirim|strong="H3715"\w* \w in the plain|strong="H1237"\w* \w of Ono|strong="H0207"\w*.” \w Now they|strong="H1992"\w* \w intended|strong="H2803"\w* \w to do|strong="H6213"\w* \w me harm|strong="H7451"\w*.   
\p
\v 3  \w So I sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w messengers|strong="H4397"\w* \w to them saying|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “I am engaged in|strong="H1419"\w* \w an|strong="H7971"\w* \w important|strong="H1419"\w* \w work|strong="H4399"\w*, \w and I am|strong="H0589"\w* \w unable|strong="H3201"\w* \w to come down|strong="H3381"\w*. \w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w should the work|strong="H4399"\w* \w come to a halt|strong="H7673"\w* \w when|strong="H0834"\w* \w I leave|strong="H7503"\w* \w it to|strong="H0413"\w* \w come down|strong="H3381"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*?”  
\v 4  \w They contacted|strong="H1697"\w* \w me four|strong="H0702"\w* \w times|strong="H6471"\w* \w in this way, and I responded|strong="H7725"\w* \w the same|strong="H2088"\w* \w way|strong="H1697"\w* \w each|strong="H0702"\w* \w time|strong="H6471"\w*.   
\p
\v 5  \w The fifth|strong="H2549"\w* \w time|strong="H6471"\w* \w that Sanballat|strong="H5571"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w his assistant|strong="H5288"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w me in this|strong="H2088"\w* \w way|strong="H1697"\w*, \w he had an open|strong="H6605"\w* \w letter|strong="H0107"\w* \w in his hand|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 6  \w Written|strong="H3789"\w* \w in it were the following words:|strong="H1471"\w*  
\p “\w Among|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w it is rumored\w* \w (and Geshem\w* \w has substantiated\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w*) \w that|strong="H8085"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w Jews|strong="H3064"\w* \w have intentions\w* \w of revolting\w*, \w and for this reason\w* \w you are\w* \w building\w* \w the\w* \w wall\w*. \w Furthermore\w*, \w according to these\w* \w rumors\w* \w you\w* \w are going to become their king\w*.  
\v 7  \w You have also|strong="H1571"\w* \w established|strong="H5975"\w* \w prophets|strong="H5030"\w* \w to announce|strong="H7121"\w* \w in Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w your behalf, ‘We have a king|strong="H4428"\w* \w in Judah|strong="H3063"\w*\w !’ Now|strong="H6258"\w* \w the king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is going to hear|strong="H8085"\w* \w about|strong="H1697"\w* \w these|strong="H0428"\w* \w rumors|strong="H6258"\w*. \w So come on! Let’s|strong="H1980"\w* \w talk about this|strong="H3289"\w*.”   
\p
\v 8  \w I sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w word back to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him, “We are not|strong="H3808"\w* \w engaged|strong="H1961"\w* \w in these|strong="H0428"\w* \w activities|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are describing|strong="H0559"\w*. \w All of this is a figment|strong="H3820"\w* \w of your imagination|strong="H0908"\w*.”   
\p
\v 9  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w of them were|strong="H3372"\w* \w wanting|strong="H3372"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* scare \w us, supposing|strong="H7503"\w*, \w “Their hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w will grow slack from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the work|strong="H4399"\w*, \w and it won’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w get done|strong="H6213"\w*.”  
\p \w So now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w strengthen|strong="H2388"\w* \w my hands|strong="H3027"\w*!   
\p
\v 10  \w Then I|strong="H0589"\w* \w went|strong="H0935"\w* \w to the house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of Shemaiah|strong="H8098"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Delaiah|strong="H1806"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Mehetabel|strong="H4105"\w*. \w He was confined|strong="H6113"\w* \w to his home.|strong="H0559"\w* \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Let’s set up|strong="H6113"\w* \w a time|strong="H6113"\w* \w to meet|strong="H3259"\w* \w in the house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w within|strong="H8432"\w* \w the temple|strong="H1964"\w*. \w Let’s close|strong="H5462"\w* \w the doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w of the temple|strong="H1964"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w they are coming|strong="H0935"\w* \w to kill|strong="H2026"\w* \w you. It will surely be at night|strong="H3915"\w* \w that they will come|strong="H0935"\w* \w to kill|strong="H2026"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*.”   
\p
\v 11  \w But I replied|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Should a man|strong="H0376"\w* \w like|strong="H3644"\w* \w me run away|strong="H1272"\w*\w ? Would|strong="H4310"\w* \w someone like me|strong="H3644"\w* \w flee|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the temple|strong="H1964"\w* \w in order to save his life|strong="H2425"\w*\w ?|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H0935"\w*!”  
\v 12  \w I recognized|strong="H5234"\w* \w the fact|strong="H2009"\w* \w that God|strong="H0430"\w* \w had not|strong="H3808"\w* \w sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w him, for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he had spoken|strong="H1696"\w* \w the prophecy|strong="H5016"\w* \w against me as a hired agent|strong="H7936"\w* \w of Tobiah|strong="H2900"\w* \w and Sanballat|strong="H5571"\w*.  
\v 13  \w He had been hired|strong="H7936"\w* \w to scare me|strong="H3372"\w* \w so that|strong="H4616"\w* \w I would|strong="H4616"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H3651"\w* \w and thereby|strong="H4616"\w* \w sin|strong="H2398"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w would thus|strong="H4616"\w* \w bring|strong="H7451"\w* \w reproach on me and I|strong="H1961"\w* \w would|strong="H8034"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w discredited|strong="H2778"\w*.   
\p
\v 14  \w Remember|strong="H2142"\w*, \w O my God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w Tobiah|strong="H2900"\w* \w and Sanballat|strong="H5571"\w* \w in light of these|strong="H0428"\w* \w actions|strong="H4639"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* theirs – \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w Noadiah|strong="H5129"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w prophetess|strong="H5031"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w other|strong="H0428"\w* \w prophets|strong="H5030"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* trying \w to|strong="H1961"\w* scare \w me|strong="H1961"\w*!   
\s1 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* Rebuilding \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* Wall \w Is|strong="H0834"\w* \w Finally|strong="H1571"\w* Completed  
\p
\v 15  \w So the wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w was completed|strong="H7999"\w* \w on the twenty-fifth|strong="H2568"\w* \w day of Elul|strong="H0435"\w*, \w in just fifty-two|strong="H8147"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 16  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w our enemies|strong="H0341"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w were around|strong="H5439"\w* \w us saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w this, they were|strong="H5307"\w* \w greatly|strong="H3966"\w* \w disheartened|strong="H5869"\w*. \w They knew|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w* \w work|strong="H4399"\w* \w had been accomplished|strong="H6213"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w the help of our God|strong="H0430"\w*.   
\p
\v 17  \w In those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w the aristocrats|strong="H2715"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w repeatedly sent letters|strong="H0107"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w Tobiah|strong="H2900"\w*, \w and responses|strong="H1980"\w* \w from Tobiah|strong="H2900"\w* \w were repeatedly coming|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*.  
\v 18  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w in Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w had sworn|strong="H7621"\w* \w allegiance to him,|strong="H3588"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w was the son-in-law|strong="H2860"\w* \w of Shecaniah|strong="H7935"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Arah|strong="H0733"\w*. \w His son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jonathan|strong="H3076"\w* \w had married|strong="H3947"\w* \w the daughter|strong="H1323"\w* \w of Meshullam|strong="H4918"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Berechiah|strong="H1296"\w*.  
\v 19  \w They were|strong="H3372"\w* \w telling|strong="H1571"\w* \w me about his good|strong="H2896"\w* \w deeds and then taking back to him the things|strong="H1697"\w* \w I said|strong="H0559"\w*. \w Tobiah|strong="H2900"\w*, \w on the other hand, sent|strong="H7971"\w* \w letters|strong="H0107"\w* \w in order to scare|strong="H3372"\w* \w me|strong="H7971"\w*.   
\c 7  
\p
\v 1  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w had been|strong="H0834"\w* \w rebuilt|strong="H1129"\w* \w and I had positioned|strong="H5975"\w* \w the doors|strong="H1817"\w*, \w and the gatekeepers|strong="H7778"\w*, \w the singers|strong="H7891"\w*, \w and the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w had been appointed|strong="H6485"\w*,  
\v 2  \w I then|strong="H6680"\w* \w put in charge|strong="H6680"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w my brother|strong="H0251"\w* \w Hanani|strong="H2607"\w* \w and Hananiah|strong="H2608"\w* \w the chief|strong="H8269"\w* \w of the citadel|strong="H1002"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he was|strong="H1931"\w* \w a faithful|strong="H0571"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w and feared|strong="H3372"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w more than many|strong="H7227"\w* \w do|strong="H6680"\w*.  
\v 3  \w I|strong="H0559"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them, “The gates|strong="H8179"\w* \w of Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w must not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be opened|strong="H6605"\w* \w in the early morning|strong="H8121"\w*, \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w who are standing|strong="H5975"\w* \w guard close|strong="H1479"\w* \w the doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w and lock|strong="H0270"\w* \w them.|strong="H5975"\w* \w Position|strong="H5975"\w* \w residents|strong="H3427"\w* \w of Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w as guards|strong="H4931"\w*, \w some|strong="H0376"\w* \w at their guard|strong="H4929"\w* \w stations and some|strong="H0376"\w* \w near|strong="H5048"\w* \w their homes|strong="H1004"\w*.”  
\v 4  \w Now the city|strong="H5892"\w* \w was spread|strong="H7342"\w* \w out|strong="H1419"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w large|strong="H1419"\w*, \w and there were not a lot of people|strong="H5971"\w* \w in it|strong="H8432"\w*. \w At|strong="H4592"\w* \w that time|strong="H4592"\w* \w houses|strong="H1004"\w* \w had not|strong="H0369"\w* \w been|strong="H4592"\w* \w rebuilt|strong="H1129"\w*.  
\v 5  \w My God|strong="H0430"\w* \w placed|strong="H5414"\w* \w it on|strong="H0413"\w* \w my heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w to gather|strong="H6908"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w leaders|strong="H2715"\w*, \w the officials|strong="H5461"\w*, \w and the ordinary people|strong="H5971"\w* \w so they could be enrolled on the basis of genealogy|strong="H3187"\w*. \w I found|strong="H4672"\w* \w the genealogical|strong="H3188"\w* \w records|strong="H5612"\w* \w of those who had formerly|strong="H7223"\w* \w returned|strong="H5927"\w*. \w Here is what I found|strong="H4672"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w that|strong="H5927"\w* \w record|strong="H3789"\w*:   
\p
\v 6  \w These|strong="H0428"\w* \w are the people|strong="H4082"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w province|strong="H4082"\w* \w who returned|strong="H5927"\w* \w from the captivity|strong="H7628"\w* \w of the exiles|strong="H1473"\w*, \w whom|strong="H0834"\w* \w King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Nebuchadnezzar|strong="H5019"\w* \w of Babylon|strong="H0894"\w* \w had forced into exile|strong="H1540"\w*. \w They returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w to Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w and to Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w each|strong="H0376"\w* \w to his own city|strong="H5892"\w*.  
\v 7  \w They came|strong="H0935"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Zerubbabel|strong="H2216"\w*, \w Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w*, \w Nehemiah|strong="H5166"\w*, \w Azariah|strong="H5838"\w*, \w Raamiah|strong="H7485"\w*, \w Nahamani|strong="H5167"\w*, \w Mordecai|strong="H4782"\w*, \w Bilshan|strong="H1114"\w*, \w Mispereth|strong="H4559"\w*, \w Bigvai|strong="H0902"\w*, \w Nehum|strong="H5149"\w*, \w and Baanah|strong="H1196"\w*.  
\p \w The number|strong="H4557"\w* \w of Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w was as follows|strong="H5971"\w*:   
\p
\v 8  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Parosh|strong="H6551"\w*, \w 2,172|strong="H8147"\w*;   
\p
\v 9  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Shephatiah|strong="H8203"\w*, \w 372|strong="H8147"\w*;   
\p
\v 10  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Arah|strong="H0733"\w*, \w 652|strong="H8147"\w*;   
\p
\v 11  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Pahath-Moab|strong="H6355"\w* \w (from the line|strong="H3442"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w* \w and Joab|strong="H3097"\w*\w ), 2,818|strong="H6240"\w*;   
\p
\v 12  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Elam|strong="H5867"\w*, \w 1,254|strong="H0702"\w*;   
\p
\v 13  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Zattu|strong="H2240"\w*, \w 845|strong="H2568"\w*;   
\p
\v 14  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Zaccai|strong="H2140"\w*, \w 760|strong="H8346"\w*;   
\p
\v 15  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Binnui|strong="H1131"\w*, \w 648|strong="H8083"\w*;   
\p
\v 16  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Bebai|strong="H0893"\w*, \w 628|strong="H8083"\w*;   
\p
\v 17  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Azgad|strong="H5803"\w*, \w 2,322|strong="H8147"\w*;   
\p
\v 18  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Adonikam|strong="H0140"\w*, \w 667|strong="H7651"\w*;   
\p
\v 19  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Bigvai|strong="H0902"\w*, \w 2,067|strong="H7651"\w*;   
\p
\v 20  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Adin|strong="H5720"\w*, \w 655|strong="H2568"\w*;   
\p
\v 21  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Ater|strong="H0333"\w* \w (through Hezekiah|strong="H2396"\w*\w ), 98|strong="H8083"\w*;   
\p
\v 22  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hashum|strong="H2828"\w*, \w 328|strong="H8083"\w*;   
\p
\v 23  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Bezai|strong="H1209"\w*, \w 324|strong="H0702"\w*;   
\p
\v 24  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Harif|strong="H2756"\w*, \w 112|strong="H6240"\w*;   
\p
\v 25  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Gibeon|strong="H1391"\w*, \w 95|strong="H2568"\w*;   
\p
\v 26  \w The men|strong="H0582"\w* \w of Bethlehem|strong="H1035"\w* \w and Netophah|strong="H5199"\w*, \w 188|strong="H8083"\w*;   
\p
\v 27  \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Anathoth|strong="H6068"\w*, \w 128|strong="H8083"\w*;   
\p
\v 28  \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of the family|strong="H1041"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* Azmaveth, \w 42|strong="H8147"\w*;   
\p
\v 29  \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Kiriath Jearim|strong="H7157"\w*, \w Kephirah|strong="H3716"\w*, \w and Beeroth|strong="H0881"\w*, \w 743|strong="H7969"\w*;   
\p
\v 30  \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Ramah|strong="H7414"\w* \w and Geba|strong="H1387"\w*, \w 621|strong="H0259"\w*;   
\p
\v 31  \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Micmash|strong="H4363"\w*, \w 122|strong="H8147"\w*;   
\p
\v 32  \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* \w and Ai|strong="H5857"\w*, \w 123|strong="H7969"\w*;   
\p
\v 33  \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w of the other|strong="H0312"\w* \w Nebo|strong="H5015"\w*, \w 52|strong="H8147"\w*;   
\p
\v 34  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of the other|strong="H0312"\w* \w Elam|strong="H5867"\w*, \w 1,254|strong="H0702"\w*;   
\p
\v 35  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Harim|strong="H2766"\w*, \w 320|strong="H6242"\w*;   
\p
\v 36  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Jericho|strong="H3405"\w*, \w 345|strong="H2568"\w*;   
\p
\v 37  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Lod|strong="H3850"\w*, \w Hadid|strong="H2307"\w*, \w and Ono|strong="H0207"\w*, \w 721|strong="H0259"\w*;   
\p
\v 38  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Senaah|strong="H5570"\w*, \w 3,930|strong="H7970"\w*.   
\p
\v 39  \w The priests|strong="H3548"\w*:  
\p \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Jedaiah|strong="H3048"\w* \w (through the family|strong="H1004"\w* \w of Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w*\w ), 973|strong="H7969"\w*;   
\p
\v 40  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Immer|strong="H0564"\w*, \w 1,052|strong="H8147"\w*;   
\p
\v 41  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Pashhur|strong="H6583"\w*, \w 1,247|strong="H7651"\w*;   
\p
\v 42  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Harim|strong="H2766"\w*, \w 1,017|strong="H6240"\w*.   
\p
\v 43  \w The Levites|strong="H3881"\w*:  
\p \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w* \w (through Kadmiel|strong="H6934"\w*, \w through the line of Hodaviah|strong="H1937"\w*\w ), 74|strong="H0702"\w*.   
\p
\v 44  \w The singers|strong="H7891"\w*:  
\p \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Asaph|strong="H0623"\w*, \w 148|strong="H8083"\w*.   
\p
\v 45  \w The gatekeepers|strong="H7778"\w*:  
\p \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Shallum|strong="H7967"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Ater|strong="H0333"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Talmon|strong="H2929"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Akkub|strong="H6126"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hatita|strong="H2410"\w*, \w and the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Shobai|strong="H7630"\w*, \w 138|strong="H8083"\w*.   
\p
\v 46  \w The temple servants|strong="H5411"\w*:  
\p \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Ziha|strong="H6727"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hasupha|strong="H2817"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Tabbaoth|strong="H2884"\w*,  
\v 47  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Keros|strong="H7026"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Sia|strong="H5517"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Padon|strong="H6303"\w*,  
\v 48  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Lebanah|strong="H3838"\w*, \w the descendants of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hagabah|strong="H2286"\w*, \w the descendants of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Shalmai|strong="H8014"\w*,  
\v 49  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hanan|strong="H2605"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Giddel|strong="H1435"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Gahar|strong="H1515"\w*,  
\v 50  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Reaiah|strong="H7211"\w*, \w the descendants of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Rezin|strong="H7526"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Nekoda|strong="H5353"\w*,  
\v 51  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Gazzam|strong="H1502"\w*, \w the descendants of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Uzzah|strong="H5798"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Paseah|strong="H6454"\w*,  
\v 52  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Besai|strong="H1153"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Meunim|strong="H4586"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Nephussim|strong="H5300"\w*,  
\v 53  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Bakbuk|strong="H1227"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hakupha|strong="H2709"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Harhur|strong="H2744"\w*,  
\v 54  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Bazluth|strong="H1213"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Mehida|strong="H4240"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Harsha|strong="H2797"\w*,  
\v 55  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Barkos|strong="H1302"\w*, \w the descendants of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Sisera|strong="H5516"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Temah|strong="H8547"\w*,  
\v 56  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Neziah|strong="H5335"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hatipha|strong="H2412"\w*.   
\p
\v 57  \w The descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of the servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w of Solomon|strong="H8010"\w*:  
\p \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Sotai|strong="H5479"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Sophereth|strong="H5618"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Perida|strong="H6514"\w*,  
\v 58  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Jaala|strong="H3279"\w*, \w the descendants of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Darkon|strong="H1874"\w*, \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Giddel|strong="H1435"\w*,  
\v 59  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Shephatiah|strong="H8203"\w*, \w the descendants of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hattil|strong="H2411"\w*, \w the descendants of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Pokereth-Hazzebaim|strong="H6380"\w*, \w and the descendants of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Amon|strong="H0526"\w*.   
\p
\v 60  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the temple servants|strong="H5411"\w* \w and the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of the servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w of Solomon|strong="H8010"\w*, \w 392|strong="H8673"\w*.   
\p
\v 61  \w These|strong="H0428"\w* \w are the ones who came up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from Tel Melah|strong="H8528"\w*, \w Tel Harsha|strong="H8521"\w*, \w Kerub|strong="H3743"\w*, \w Addon|strong="H0114"\w*, \w and Immer|strong="H0564"\w* \w (although they were unable|strong="H3201"\w* \w to certify|strong="H5046"\w* \w their family|strong="H1004"\w* \w connection|strong="H0001"\w* \w or|strong="H0518"\w* \w their ancestry|strong="H2233"\w*, \w as to whether|strong="H0518"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were really from Israel|strong="H3478"\w*):   
\p
\v 62  \w the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Delaiah|strong="H1806"\w*, \w the descendants of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Tobiah|strong="H2900"\w*, \w and the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Nekoda|strong="H5353"\w*, \w 642|strong="H8147"\w*.   
\p
\v 63  \w And from|strong="H4480"\w* \w among the priests|strong="H3548"\w*\w : the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hobaiah|strong="H2252"\w*, \w the descendants of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Hakkoz|strong="H6976"\w*, \w and the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Barzillai|strong="H1271"\w* \w (who had|strong="H0834"\w* \w married|strong="H3947"\w* \w a woman|strong="H0802"\w* \w from the daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w of Barzillai|strong="H1271"\w* \w the Gileadite|strong="H1569"\w* \w and was called|strong="H7121"\w* \w by that name|strong="H8034"\w*).  
\v 64  \w They|strong="H0428"\w* \w searched|strong="H1245"\w* \w for their records|strong="H3791"\w* \w in the genealogical materials|strong="H3187"\w*, \w but none|strong="H3808"\w* \w were found|strong="H4672"\w*. \w They were therefore excluded|strong="H1351"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the priesthood|strong="H3550"\w*.  
\v 65  \w The governor|strong="H8660"\w* \w instructed|strong="H0559"\w* \w them not|strong="H3808"\w* \w to eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w any of the sacred|strong="H6944"\w* \w food until|strong="H5704"\w* \w there|strong="H5975"\w* \w was a priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w who could consult|strong="H5975"\w* \w the Urim|strong="H0224"\w* \w and Thummim|strong="H8550"\w*.   
\p
\v 66  \w The entire group|strong="H6951"\w* \w numbered 42,360|strong="H8346"\w*,  
\v 67  \w not counting|strong="H0905"\w* \w their 7,337|strong="H7651"\w* \w male|strong="H5650"\w* \w and female|strong="H0519"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w*. \w They also had 245|strong="H2568"\w* \w male|strong="H7891"\w* \w and female|strong="H7891"\w* \w singers|strong="H7891"\w*.  
\v 68  They \w had|strong="H1581"\w* 736 horses, 245 mules,  
\v 69  \w 435|strong="H2568"\w* \w camels|strong="H1581"\w*, \w and 6,720|strong="H6242"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H2543"\w*.  
\v 70  \w Some|strong="H7117"\w* \w of the family|strong="H0001"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w contributed|strong="H5414"\w* \w to the work|strong="H4399"\w*. \w The governor|strong="H8660"\w* \w contributed|strong="H5414"\w* \w to the treasury|strong="H0214"\w* \w 1,000|strong="H0505"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w drachmas|strong="H1871"\w*, \w 50|strong="H2572"\w* \w bowls|strong="H4219"\w*, \w and 530|strong="H3967"\w* \w priestly|strong="H3548"\w* \w garments|strong="H3801"\w*.  
\v 71  \w Some of the family|strong="H0001"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w to the project|strong="H4399"\w* \w treasury|strong="H0214"\w* \w 20,000|strong="H7239"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w drachmas|strong="H1871"\w* \w and 2,200|strong="H3967"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w minas|strong="H4488"\w*.  
\v 72  \w What|strong="H0834"\w* \w the rest|strong="H7611"\w* \w of the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w amounted to 20,000|strong="H7239"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w drachmas|strong="H1871"\w*, \w 2,000|strong="H0505"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w minas|strong="H4488"\w*, \w and 67|strong="H7651"\w* \w priestly|strong="H3548"\w* \w garments|strong="H3801"\w*.   
\p
\v 73  \w The priests|strong="H3548"\w*, \w the Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w the gatekeepers|strong="H7778"\w*, \w the singers|strong="H7891"\w*, \w some|strong="H4480"\w* \w of the people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w the temple servants|strong="H5411"\w*, \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the rest of Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w lived in|strong="H3427"\w* \w their cities|strong="H5892"\w*.  
\s1 The People Respond to the Reading of the Law  
\p \w When|strong="H5060"\w* \w the seventh|strong="H7637"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w* \w arrived|strong="H5060"\w* \w and the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w were settled|strong="H3427"\w* \w in their cities|strong="H5892"\w*,   
\c 8  
\p
\v 1  \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w gathered|strong="H0622"\w* \w together|strong="H0259"\w* \w in the plaza|strong="H7339"\w* \w which|strong="H0834"\w* \w was in front|strong="H6440"\w* \w of the Water|strong="H4325"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w They asked|strong="H0559"\w* \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w the scribe|strong="H5608"\w* \w to bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w the book|strong="H5612"\w* \w of the law|strong="H8451"\w* \w of Moses|strong="H4872"\w* \w which|strong="H0834"\w* \w the \+nd LORD\+nd*|strong="H3068"\w* \w had commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*.  
\v 2  \w So Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w the priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w brought|strong="H0935"\w* \w the law|strong="H8451"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the assembly|strong="H6951"\w* \w which included men|strong="H0376"\w* \w and women|strong="H0802"\w* \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w those able to understand|strong="H0995"\w* \w what they heard|strong="H8085"\w*. \w (This happened on the first|strong="H0259"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of the seventh|strong="H7637"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*.)  
\v 3  \w So he read|strong="H7121"\w* \w it before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the plaza|strong="H7339"\w* \w in front|strong="H6440"\w* \w of the Water|strong="H4325"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w dawn|strong="H0216"\w* \w till|strong="H5704"\w* \w noon|strong="H3117"\w* \w before|strong="H5048"\w* \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w and women|strong="H0802"\w* \w and those children who could understand|strong="H0241"\w*. \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w were eager to|strong="H0413"\w* \w hear|strong="H5612"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w book|strong="H5612"\w* \w of the law|strong="H8451"\w*.   
\p
\v 4  \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w the scribe|strong="H5608"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w a towering|strong="H4026"\w* \w wooden|strong="H6086"\w* \w platform|strong="H4026"\w* \w constructed|strong="H6213"\w* \w for this purpose|strong="H1697"\w*. \w Standing|strong="H5975"\w* \w near|strong="H0681"\w* \w him on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his right|strong="H3225"\w* \w were Mattithiah|strong="H4993"\w*, \w Shema|strong="H8087"\w*, \w Anaiah|strong="H6043"\w*, \w Uriah|strong="H0223"\w*, \w Hilkiah|strong="H2518"\w*, \w and Masseiah|strong="H4641"\w*. \w On his left|strong="H8040"\w* \w were Pedaiah|strong="H6305"\w*, \w Mishael|strong="H4332"\w*, \w Malkijah|strong="H4441"\w*, \w Hashum|strong="H2828"\w*, \w Hashbaddanah|strong="H2806"\w*, \w Zechariah|strong="H2148"\w*, \w and Meshullam|strong="H4918"\w*.  
\v 5  \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w opened|strong="H6605"\w* \w the book|strong="H5612"\w* \w in plain view|strong="H5869"\w* \w of all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he was elevated above|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w he opened|strong="H6605"\w* \w the book|strong="H5612"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w stood|strong="H5975"\w* \w up|strong="H5975"\w*.  
\v 6  \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w blessed|strong="H1288"\w* \w the \+nd LORD\+nd*|strong="H3068"\w*\w , the great|strong="H1419"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w replied|strong="H6030"\w* \w “Amen|strong="H0543"\w*\w ! Amen|strong="H0543"\w*\w !” as they lifted|strong="H4607"\w* \w their hands|strong="H3027"\w*. \w Then they bowed|strong="H6915"\w* \w down and worshiped|strong="H7812"\w* \w the \+nd LORD\+nd*|strong="H3068"\w* \w with their faces|strong="H0639"\w* \w to the ground|strong="H0776"\w*.   
\p
\v 7  \w Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w*, \w Bani|strong="H1137"\w*, \w Sherebiah|strong="H8274"\w*, \w Jamin|strong="H3226"\w*, \w Akkub|strong="H6126"\w*, \w Shabbethai|strong="H7678"\w*, \w Hodiah|strong="H1941"\w*, \w Maaseiah|strong="H4641"\w*, \w Kelita|strong="H7042"\w*, \w Azariah|strong="H5838"\w*, \w Jozabad|strong="H3107"\w*, \w Hanan|strong="H2605"\w*, \w and Pelaiah|strong="H6411"\w* \w – all of whom were Levites|strong="H3881"\w* – \w were teaching|strong="H0995"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w the law|strong="H8451"\w*, \w as the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w remained standing|strong="H5975"\w*.  
\v 8  \w They read|strong="H7121"\w* \w from the book|strong="H5612"\w* \w of God’s|strong="H0430"\w* \w law|strong="H8451"\w*, \w explaining|strong="H6567"\w* \w it|strong="H7760"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* imparting \w insight|strong="H7922"\w*. \w Thus the people|strong="H0995"\w* gained \w understanding|strong="H0995"\w* \w from what was read|strong="H4744"\w*.   
\p
\v 9  \w Then Nehemiah|strong="H5166"\w* \w the governor|strong="H8660"\w*, \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w the priestly|strong="H3548"\w* \w scribe|strong="H5608"\w*, \w and the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w who were imparting understanding|strong="H0995"\w* \w to the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w said to all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of them|strong="H5971"\w*, “\w This day|strong="H3117"\w* \w is holy|strong="H6918"\w* \w to the \+nd LORD\+nd*|strong="H3068"\w* \w your God|strong="H0430"\w*. \w Do not|strong="H0408"\w* \w mourn|strong="H0056"\w* \w or|strong="H0408"\w* \w weep|strong="H1058"\w*.” \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w had been weeping|strong="H1058"\w* \w when they heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w the words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of the law|strong="H8451"\w*.  
\v 10  \w He said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them, “Go|strong="H1980"\w* \w and eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w delicacies|strong="H4924"\w* \w and drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w sweet|strong="H4477"\w* \w drinks and send|strong="H7971"\w* \w portions|strong="H4490"\w* \w to those for whom nothing|strong="H0369"\w* \w is prepared|strong="H3559"\w*. \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w this day|strong="H3117"\w* \w is holy|strong="H6918"\w* \w to our Lord|strong="H0136"\w*. \w Do not|strong="H0408"\w* \w grieve|strong="H6087"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the joy|strong="H2304"\w* \w of the \+nd LORD\+nd*|strong="H3068"\w* \w is your strength|strong="H4581"\w*.”   
\p
\v 11  \w Then the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w quieted|strong="H2814"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w saying|strong="H0559"\w*, \w “Be quiet|strong="H2013"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w this day|strong="H3117"\w* \w is holy|strong="H6918"\w*. \w Do not|strong="H0408"\w* \w grieve|strong="H6087"\w*.”  
\v 12  \w So|strong="H1980"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w departed to eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w and drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w and to share|strong="H4490"\w* \w their food|strong="H1419"\w* \w with|strong="H3045"\w* \w others|strong="H5971"\w* \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* enjoy tremendous \w joy|strong="H8057"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w they had gained insight|strong="H0995"\w* \w in the matters|strong="H1697"\w* \w that had|strong="H0834"\w* \w been made known|strong="H3045"\w* \w to|strong="H7971"\w* \w them|strong="H7971"\w*.   
\p
\v 13  \w On the second|strong="H8145"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of the month the family leaders|strong="H0001"\w* \w met with|strong="H5830"\w* \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w the scribe|strong="H5608"\w*, \w together|strong="H0622"\w* \w with all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w the priests|strong="H3548"\w*, \w and the Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w consider|strong="H7919"\w* \w the words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of the law|strong="H8451"\w*.  
\v 14  \w They discovered|strong="H4672"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w in the law|strong="H8451"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w the \+nd LORD\+nd*|strong="H3068"\w* \w had commanded|strong="H6680"\w* \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w should live|strong="H3427"\w* \w in temporary shelters|strong="H5521"\w* \w during the festival|strong="H2282"\w* \w of the seventh|strong="H7637"\w* \w month|strong="H2320"\w*,  
\v 15  \w and that|strong="H0834"\w* \w they should make a proclamation|strong="H8085"\w* \w and disseminate|strong="H5674"\w* \w this message|strong="H6963"\w* \w in all|strong="H3605"\w* \w their cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w and in Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*\w :|strong="H3318"\w* “\w Go|strong="H3318"\w* \w to the hill country|strong="H2022"\w* \w and bring back|strong="H0935"\w* \w olive|strong="H2132"\w* \w branches|strong="H5929"\w* \w and branches|strong="H5929"\w* \w of wild olive|strong="H8081"\w* \w trees|strong="H6086"\w*, \w myrtle trees|strong="H1918"\w*, \w date palms|strong="H8558"\w*, \w and other leafy|strong="H5687"\w* \w trees|strong="H6086"\w* \w to construct|strong="H6213"\w* \w temporary shelters|strong="H5521"\w*, \w as it is written|strong="H3789"\w*.”   
\p
\v 16  \w So|strong="H3318"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w went out|strong="H3318"\w* \w and brought|strong="H0935"\w* \w these things|strong="H6213"\w* \w back|strong="H0935"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w constructed|strong="H6213"\w* \w temporary shelters|strong="H5521"\w* \w for themselves, each|strong="H0376"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w his roof|strong="H1406"\w* \w and in his courtyard|strong="H2691"\w* \w and in the courtyards|strong="H2691"\w* \w of the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w* \w and in the plaza|strong="H7339"\w* \w of the Water|strong="H4325"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w and the plaza|strong="H7339"\w* \w of the Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*.  
\v 17  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the assembly|strong="H6951"\w* \w which had returned|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the exile|strong="H7628"\w* \w constructed temporary shelters|strong="H5521"\w* \w and lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w in them. The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w so from the days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of Joshua|strong="H3442"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Nun|strong="H5126"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w that|strong="H3651"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*. \w Everyone experienced very|strong="H3966"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w*.  
\v 18  \w Ezra|strong="H7121"\w* \w read|strong="H7121"\w* \w in the book|strong="H5612"\w* \w of the law|strong="H8451"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w by day|strong="H3117"\w*, \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the first|strong="H7223"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w to the last|strong="H0314"\w*. \w They observed|strong="H6213"\w* \w the festival|strong="H2282"\w* \w for seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*, \w and on|strong="H3117"\w* \w the eighth|strong="H8066"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w they held an assembly|strong="H6116"\w* \w as was required|strong="H4941"\w*.   
\c 9  
\p
\v 1  \w On the twenty-fourth|strong="H0702"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of this|strong="H2088"\w* \w same month|strong="H2320"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w assembled|strong="H0622"\w*; \w they were fasting|strong="H6685"\w* \w and wearing sackcloth|strong="H8242"\w*, \w their heads covered with dust|strong="H0127"\w*.  
\v 2  \w Those truly of Israelite|strong="H3478"\w* \w descent|strong="H2233"\w* \w separated|strong="H0914"\w* \w from all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the foreigners|strong="H5236"\w*, \w standing|strong="H5975"\w* \w and confessing|strong="H3034"\w* \w their sins|strong="H2403"\w* \w and the iniquities|strong="H5771"\w* \w of their ancestors|strong="H0001"\w*.  
\v 3  \w For one-fourth|strong="H5977"\w* \w of the day|strong="H3117"\w* \w they stood in their place and read|strong="H7121"\w* \w from the book|strong="H5612"\w* \w of the law|strong="H8451"\w* \w of the \+nd LORD\+nd*|strong="H3068"\w* \w their God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w and for another fourth|strong="H7243"\w* \w they were confessing|strong="H3034"\w* \w their sins|strong="H7812"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w worshiping|strong="H7812"\w* \w the \+nd LORD\+nd*|strong="H3068"\w* \w their God|strong="H0430"\w*.  
\v 4  \w Then the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w – Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w*, \w Binnui|strong="H1137"\w*, \w Kadmiel|strong="H6934"\w*, \w Shebaniah|strong="H7645"\w*, \w Bunni|strong="H1138"\w*, \w Sherebiah|strong="H8274"\w*, \w Bani|strong="H1137"\w*, \w and Kenani|strong="H3662"\w* \w – stood|strong="H6965"\w* \w on the steps|strong="H4608"\w* \w and called out|strong="H2199"\w* \w loudly|strong="H6963"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the \+nd LORD\+nd*|strong="H3068"\w* \w their God|strong="H0430"\w*.  
\v 5  \w The Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w – Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w*, \w Kadmiel|strong="H6934"\w*, \w Bani|strong="H1137"\w*, \w Hashabneiah|strong="H2813"\w*, \w Sherebiah|strong="H8274"\w*, \w Hodiah|strong="H1941"\w*, \w Shebaniah|strong="H7645"\w*, \w and Pethahiah|strong="H6611"\w* \w – said, “Stand up|strong="H6965"\w* \w and bless|strong="H1288"\w* \w the \+nd LORD\+nd*|strong="H3068"\w* \w your God|strong="H0430"\w*\w !”|strong="H4480"\w*  
\p “\w May|strong="H0430"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w be|strong="H8034"\w* \w blessed|strong="H1288"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* \nd \+w LORD|strong="H3068"\+w*\nd* \w our|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w age to age.\w* \w May|strong="H0430"\w* \w your|strong="H3068"\w* glorious \w name\w* \w be blessed\w*; \w may\w* \w it be lifted\w* \w up above\w* \w all\w* \w blessing\w* \w and praise\w*.  
\v 6  \w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w alone|strong="H0905"\w* \w are the \+nd LORD\+nd*|strong="H3068"\w*\w . You made|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w heavens|strong="H8064"\w*, \w even the highest|strong="H8064"\w* \w heavens|strong="H8064"\w*, \w along with all|strong="H3605"\w* \w their multitude of stars|strong="H6635"\w*, \w the earth|strong="H0776"\w* \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w is on|strong="H5921"\w* \w it, the seas|strong="H3220"\w* \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w is in them. You|strong="H0859"\w* \w impart life|strong="H2421"\w* \w to them|strong="H0853"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w*, \w and the multitudes|strong="H6635"\w* \w of heaven|strong="H8064"\w* \w worship|strong="H7812"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w*.   
\p
\v 7 “\w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w are the \+nd LORD\+nd*|strong="H3068"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w chose|strong="H0977"\w* \w Abram|strong="H0087"\w* \w and brought|strong="H3318"\w* \w him forth|strong="H3318"\w* \w from Ur|strong="H0218"\w* \w of the Chaldeans|strong="H3778"\w*. \w You changed|strong="H7760"\w* \w his name|strong="H8034"\w* \w to Abraham|strong="H0085"\w*.  
\v 8  \w When you perceived|strong="H4672"\w* \w that his heart|strong="H3824"\w* \w was faithful|strong="H0539"\w* \w toward|strong="H6440"\w* \w you, you established|strong="H3772"\w* \w a|strong="H1285"\w* \w covenant|strong="H1285"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w him to give|strong="H5414"\w* \w his descendants|strong="H2233"\w* \w the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of the Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w*, \w the Hittites|strong="H2850"\w*, \w the Amorites|strong="H0567"\w*, \w the Perizzites|strong="H6522"\w*, \w the Jebusites|strong="H2983"\w*, \w and the Girgashites|strong="H1622"\w*. \w You have fulfilled|strong="H6965"\w* \w your promise|strong="H1697"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are righteous|strong="H6662"\w*.   
\p
\v 9 “\w You saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the affliction|strong="H6040"\w* \w of our ancestors|strong="H0001"\w* \w in Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*, \w and you heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w their cry|strong="H2201"\w* \w at the Red|strong="H5488"\w* \w Sea|strong="H3220"\w*.  
\v 10  \w You|strong="H5414"\w* \w performed|strong="H4159"\w* \w awesome signs|strong="H0226"\w* \w against|strong="H4159"\w* \w Pharaoh|strong="H6547"\w*, \w against|strong="H4159"\w* \w his servants|strong="H5650"\w*, \w and against|strong="H4159"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w of his land|strong="H0776"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you knew|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the Egyptians|strong="H2102"\w* \w had|strong="H3588"\w* \w acted|strong="H2102"\w* \w presumptuously|strong="H2102"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w them. You made|strong="H6213"\w* \w for yourself a name|strong="H8034"\w* \w that is celebrated to this|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 11  \w You split|strong="H1234"\w* \w the sea|strong="H3220"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w them, and they crossed|strong="H5674"\w* \w through|strong="H8432"\w* \w the sea|strong="H3220"\w* \w on dry ground|strong="H3004"\w*\w ! But you threw|strong="H7993"\w* \w their pursuers|strong="H7291"\w* \w into the depths|strong="H4688"\w*, \w like|strong="H3644"\w* \w a stone|strong="H0068"\w* \w into surging|strong="H5794"\w* \w waters|strong="H4325"\w*.  
\v 12  \w You guided|strong="H5148"\w* \w them with a pillar|strong="H5982"\w* \w of cloud|strong="H6051"\w* \w by day|strong="H3119"\w* \w and with a pillar|strong="H5982"\w* \w of fire|strong="H0784"\w* \w by night|strong="H3915"\w* \w to illumine|strong="H0215"\w* \w for them|strong="H1992"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w path|strong="H1870"\w* \w they were to travel|strong="H1980"\w*.   
\p
\v 13 “\w You came down|strong="H3381"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w Mount|strong="H2022"\w* \w Sinai|strong="H5514"\w* \w and spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w them from heaven|strong="H8064"\w*. \w You provided them|strong="H5414"\w* \w with just judgments|strong="H4941"\w*, \w true|strong="H0571"\w* \w laws|strong="H8451"\w*, \w and good|strong="H2896"\w* \w statutes|strong="H2706"\w* \w and commandments|strong="H4687"\w*.  
\v 14  \w You made known|strong="H3045"\w* \w to them your holy|strong="H6944"\w* \w Sabbath|strong="H7676"\w*; \w you issued|strong="H6680"\w* \w commandments|strong="H4687"\w*, \w statutes|strong="H2706"\w*, \w and law|strong="H8451"\w* \w to them|strong="H6680"\w* \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w* \w your servant|strong="H5650"\w*.  
\v 15  \w You provided|strong="H5414"\w* \w bread|strong="H3899"\w* \w from heaven|strong="H8064"\w* \w for them in their time of hunger|strong="H7458"\w*, \w and you|strong="H5414"\w* \w brought forth|strong="H3318"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w* \w from the rock|strong="H5553"\w* \w for them in their time of thirst|strong="H6772"\w*. \w You told|strong="H0559"\w* \w them to enter|strong="H0935"\w* \w in order to possess|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w that you had|strong="H0834"\w* \w sworn|strong="H5375"\w* \w to give|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*.   
\p
\v 16 “\w But they|strong="H1992"\w* \w – our ancestors|strong="H0001"\w* – \w behaved presumptuously|strong="H2102"\w*; \w they rebelled|strong="H3808"\w* \w and|strong="H0001"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w obey|strong="H8085"\w* \w your commandments|strong="H4687"\w*.  
\v 17  \w They refused|strong="H3985"\w* \w to obey|strong="H8085"\w* \w and did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w recall|strong="H2142"\w* \w your miracles|strong="H6381"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w you had performed|strong="H6213"\w* \w among them|strong="H0853"\w*. \w Instead, they|strong="H6203"\w* \w rebelled|strong="H4805"\w* \w and appointed|strong="H5414"\w* \w a leader|strong="H7218"\w* \w to return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to their bondage|strong="H5659"\w* \w in Egypt.|strong="H0859"\w* \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are a God|strong="H0433"\w* \w of forgiveness|strong="H5547"\w*, \w merciful|strong="H2587"\w* \w and compassionate|strong="H7349"\w*, \w slow|strong="H0750"\w* \w to get angry|strong="H0639"\w* \w and unfailing|strong="H7227"\w* \w in your loyal love|strong="H2617"\w*. \w You did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w abandon|strong="H5800"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*,  
\v 18  \w even|strong="H0637"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w they made|strong="H6213"\w* \w a cast image|strong="H4541"\w* \w of a calf|strong="H5695"\w* \w for themselves and said|strong="H0559"\w*, \w ‘This|strong="H2088"\w* \w is your God|strong="H0430"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w brought you up|strong="H5927"\w* \w from Egypt|strong="H4714"\w*,’ \w or when they committed|strong="H6213"\w* \w atrocious|strong="H5007"\w* \w blasphemies|strong="H1419"\w*.   
\p
\v 19 “\w Due to your|strong="H0859"\w* \w great|strong="H7227"\w* \w compassion|strong="H7356"\w* \w you did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w abandon|strong="H5800"\w* \w them in the desert|strong="H4057"\w*. \w The|strong="H0853"\w* \w pillar|strong="H5982"\w* \w of cloud|strong="H6051"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w stop|strong="H5493"\w* \w guiding|strong="H5148"\w* \w them in the path|strong="H1870"\w* \w by day|strong="H3119"\w*, \w nor did the pillar|strong="H5982"\w* \w of fire|strong="H0784"\w* \w stop illuminating|strong="H0215"\w* \w for them by night|strong="H3915"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w path|strong="H1870"\w* \w on which|strong="H0834"\w* \w they should travel|strong="H1980"\w*.  
\v 20  \w You imparted|strong="H5414"\w* \w your good|strong="H2896"\w* \w Spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w to instruct|strong="H7919"\w* \w them. You did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w withhold|strong="H4513"\w* \w your manna|strong="H4478"\w* \w from their mouths|strong="H6310"\w*; \w you provided|strong="H5414"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w* \w for their thirst|strong="H6772"\w*.  
\v 21  \w For forty|strong="H0705"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w you sustained them|strong="H3557"\w*. \w Even in the desert|strong="H4057"\w* \w they never|strong="H3808"\w* \w lacked|strong="H2637"\w* \w anything. Their clothes|strong="H8008"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w wear out|strong="H1086"\w* \w and their feet|strong="H7272"\w* \w did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w swell|strong="H1216"\w*.   
\p
\v 22 “\w You gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w them kingdoms|strong="H4467"\w* \w and peoples|strong="H5971"\w*, \w and you allocated|strong="H2505"\w* \w them|strong="H3423"\w* \w to every corner|strong="H6285"\w* \w of the land|strong="H0776"\w*. \w They inherited|strong="H3423"\w* \w the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Sihon|strong="H5511"\w* \w of Heshbon|strong="H2809"\w* \w and the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w of King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Og|strong="H5747"\w* \w of Bashan|strong="H1316"\w*.  
\v 23  \w You multiplied|strong="H7235"\w* \w their descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w like the stars|strong="H3556"\w* \w of the sky|strong="H8064"\w*. \w You brought|strong="H0935"\w* \w them to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the land|strong="H0776"\w* \w you had|strong="H0834"\w* \w told|strong="H0559"\w* \w their ancestors|strong="H0001"\w* \w to enter|strong="H0935"\w* \w in order to possess|strong="H3423"\w*.  
\v 24  \w Their descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w entered|strong="H0935"\w* \w and possessed|strong="H3423"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w*. \w You subdued|strong="H3665"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w them the Canaanites|strong="H3669"\w* \w who were the inhabitants|strong="H3427"\w* \w of the land|strong="H0776"\w*. \w You delivered|strong="H5414"\w* \w them into their hand|strong="H3027"\w*, \w together with their kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w and the|strong="H0853"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w* \w of the land|strong="H0776"\w*, \w to deal|strong="H6213"\w* \w with as they pleased|strong="H7522"\w*.  
\v 25  \w They captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w fortified|strong="H1219"\w* \w cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w and fertile|strong="H8082"\w* \w land|strong="H0127"\w*. \w They took possession|strong="H3423"\w* \w of houses|strong="H1004"\w* \w full|strong="H4392"\w* \w of all sorts|strong="H3605"\w* \w of good things|strong="H2898"\w* \w – wells|strong="H0953"\w* \w previously dug|strong="H2672"\w*, \w vineyards|strong="H3754"\w*, \w olive trees|strong="H2132"\w*, \w and fruit|strong="H3978"\w* \w trees|strong="H6086"\w* \w in abundance|strong="H7230"\w*. \w They ate|strong="H0398"\w* \w until they were full|strong="H7646"\w* \w and grew fat|strong="H8080"\w*. \w They enjoyed|strong="H5727"\w* \w to the full your great|strong="H1419"\w* \w goodness|strong="H2898"\w*.   
\p
\v 26 “\w Nonetheless they grew disobedient|strong="H4784"\w* \w and rebelled against|strong="H4775"\w* \w you; they disregarded|strong="H1458"\w* \w your law|strong="H8451"\w*. \w They killed|strong="H2026"\w* \w your prophets|strong="H5030"\w* \w who had|strong="H0834"\w* \w solemnly admonished|strong="H5749"\w* \w them in order to cause them to return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w you. They committed|strong="H6213"\w* \w atrocious|strong="H1419"\w* \w blasphemies|strong="H5007"\w*.  
\v 27  \w Therefore you delivered|strong="H5414"\w* \w them into the hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w of their adversaries|strong="H6862"\w*, \w who oppressed|strong="H3334"\w* \w them. But in the time|strong="H6256"\w* \w of their distress|strong="H6869"\w* \w they called|strong="H6817"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w you, and you|strong="H0859"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w from heaven|strong="H8064"\w*. \w In your abundant|strong="H7227"\w* \w compassion|strong="H7356"\w* \w you provided|strong="H5414"\w* \w them with deliverers|strong="H3467"\w* \w to rescue|strong="H3467"\w* \w them from|strong="H6862"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* adversaries.   
\p
\v 28 “\w Then, when they were at rest|strong="H5117"\w* \w again, they went back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to doing|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w you. Then you abandoned|strong="H5800"\w* \w them to|strong="H0341"\w* \w their|strong="H6440"\w* \w enemies|strong="H0341"\w*, \w and they gained|strong="H7287"\w* \w dominion over them. When they again|strong="H7725"\w* \w cried|strong="H2199"\w* \w out to you|strong="H0859"\w*, \w in your compassion|strong="H7356"\w* \w you heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w from heaven|strong="H8064"\w* \w and rescued|strong="H5337"\w* \w them time|strong="H6256"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w*.  
\v 29  \w And you solemnly admonished|strong="H5749"\w* \w them in order to return|strong="H7725"\w* \w them to|strong="H0413"\w* \w your law|strong="H8451"\w*, \w but they|strong="H1992"\w* \w behaved presumptuously|strong="H2102"\w* \w and did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w obey|strong="H8085"\w* \w your commandments|strong="H4687"\w*. \w They sinned|strong="H2398"\w* \w against your ordinances|strong="H4941"\w* \w – those by which|strong="H0834"\w* \w an individual|strong="H0120"\w*, \w if he obeys|strong="H6213"\w* \w them,|strong="H2421"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w live|strong="H2421"\w*. \w They boldly turned from|strong="H5637"\w* \w you;|strong="H7185"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w rebelled|strong="H5637"\w* \w and did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w obey|strong="H8085"\w*.  
\v 30  \w You prolonged|strong="H4900"\w* \w your kindness|strong="H5921"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w for many|strong="H7227"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*, \w and you solemnly admonished|strong="H5749"\w* \w them by your Spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w your prophets|strong="H5030"\w*. \w Still they paid no|strong="H3808"\w* \w attention|strong="H0238"\w*, \w so you delivered|strong="H5414"\w* \w them into the hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w of the neighboring|strong="H0776"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w*.  
\v 31  \w However, due to your abundant|strong="H7227"\w* \w mercy|strong="H7356"\w* \w you did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w away|strong="H3617"\w* \w with them altogether|strong="H3617"\w*; \w you did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w abandon|strong="H5800"\w* \w them. For|strong="H3588"\w* \w you are|strong="H0859"\w* \w a merciful|strong="H2587"\w* \w and compassionate|strong="H7349"\w* \w God|strong="H0410"\w*.   
\p
\v 32 “\w So now|strong="H6258"\w*, \w our God|strong="H0430"\w* \w – the great|strong="H1419"\w*, \w powerful|strong="H1368"\w*, \w and awesome|strong="H3372"\w* \w God|strong="H0410"\w*, \w who keeps|strong="H8104"\w* \w covenant|strong="H1285"\w* \w fidelity|strong="H2617"\w* – \w do not|strong="H0408"\w* \w regard as|strong="H0834"\w* \w inconsequential|strong="H4591"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the hardship|strong="H8513"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w has befallen|strong="H4672"\w* \w us|strong="H6440"\w* – \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w*, \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w*, \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w priests|strong="H3548"\w*, \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w prophets|strong="H5030"\w*, \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w ancestors|strong="H0001"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* – \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w Assyria|strong="H0804"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*!  
\v 33  \w You|strong="H0859"\w* \w are righteous|strong="H6662"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w regard to all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that has happened|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w us, for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you have acted|strong="H6213"\w* \w faithfully|strong="H0571"\w*. \w It is we|strong="H0587"\w* \w who have been in the wrong|strong="H7561"\w*!  
\v 34  \w Our kings|strong="H4428"\w*, \w our leaders|strong="H8269"\w*, \w our priests|strong="H3548"\w*, \w and our ancestors|strong="H0001"\w* \w have not|strong="H3808"\w* \w kept|strong="H6213"\w* \w your law|strong="H8451"\w*. \w They have not|strong="H3808"\w* \w paid attention|strong="H7181"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w your commandments|strong="H4687"\w* \w or your testimonies|strong="H5715"\w* \w by which|strong="H0834"\w* \w you have solemnly admonished|strong="H5749"\w* \w them|strong="H0413"\w*.  
\v 35  \w Even when they|strong="H1992"\w* \w were in their kingdom|strong="H4438"\w* \w and benefiting from your incredible|strong="H7227"\w* \w goodness|strong="H2898"\w* \w that you had|strong="H0834"\w* \w lavished|strong="H5414"\w* \w on them|strong="H5414"\w* \w in the spacious|strong="H7342"\w* \w and fertile|strong="H8082"\w* \w land|strong="H0776"\w* \w you had|strong="H0834"\w* \w set|strong="H5414"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w them, they did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w serve|strong="H5647"\w* \w you, nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w did they turn|strong="H7725"\w* \w from their evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w practices|strong="H4611"\w*.   
\p
\v 36 “\w So today|strong="H3117"\w* \w we|strong="H0587"\w* \w are slaves|strong="H5650"\w*\w ! In the very land|strong="H0776"\w* \w you gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w to our ancestors|strong="H0001"\w* \w to eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w its fruit|strong="H6529"\w* \w and to enjoy|strong="H0853"\w* \w its|strong="H5414"\w* \w good things|strong="H2898"\w* \w – we|strong="H0587"\w* \w are slaves|strong="H5650"\w*!  
\v 37  \w Its abundant|strong="H7235"\w* \w produce|strong="H8393"\w* \w goes to the kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w you have|strong="H0834"\w* \w placed over us|strong="H5921"\w* \w due to our sins|strong="H2403"\w*. \w They rule|strong="H4910"\w* \w over our bodies|strong="H1472"\w* \w and our livestock|strong="H0929"\w* \w as they see fit|strong="H7522"\w*, \w and we|strong="H0587"\w* \w are in great|strong="H1419"\w* \w distress|strong="H6869"\w*!   
\s1 \w The|strong="H0834"\w* \w People|strong="H0834"\w* Pledge \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* Faithful  
\p
\v 38  “Because of all \w of this|strong="H2063"\w* \w we|strong="H0587"\w* \w are entering into a binding covenant|strong="H0548"\w* \w in written|strong="H3789"\w* \w form;|strong="H8269"\w* our leaders, \w our Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w and our priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w have affixed their names|strong="H5921"\w* on \w the sealed|strong="H2856"\w* document.”   
\c 10  
\p
\v 1  \w On|strong="H5921"\w* \w the sealed|strong="H2856"\w* \w documents were the following names:|strong="H5166"\w*  
\p \w Nehemiah|strong="H5166"\w* \w the governor|strong="H8660"\w*, \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hacaliah|strong="H2446"\w*, \w along with Zedekiah|strong="H6667"\w*,   
\p
\v 2  \w Seraiah|strong="H8304"\w*, \w Azariah|strong="H5838"\w*, \w Jeremiah|strong="H3414"\w*,   
\p
\v 3  \w Pashhur|strong="H6583"\w*, \w Amariah|strong="H0568"\w*, \w Malkijah|strong="H4441"\w*,   
\p
\v 4  \w Hattush|strong="H2407"\w*, \w Shebaniah|strong="H7645"\w*, \w Malluch|strong="H4409"\w*,   
\p
\v 5  \w Harim|strong="H2766"\w*, \w Meremoth|strong="H4822"\w*, \w Obadiah|strong="H5662"\w*,   
\p
\v 6  \w Daniel|strong="H1840"\w*, \w Ginnethon|strong="H1599"\w*, \w Baruch|strong="H1263"\w*,   
\p
\v 7  \w Meshullam|strong="H4918"\w*, \w Abijah|strong="H0029"\w*, \w Mijamin|strong="H4326"\w*,   
\p
\v 8  \w Maaziah|strong="H4590"\w*, \w Bilgai|strong="H1084"\w*, \w and Shemaiah|strong="H8098"\w*. \w These|strong="H0428"\w* \w were the priests|strong="H3548"\w*.   
\p
\v 9  \w The Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w were as follows:|strong="H3442"\w*  
\p \w Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Azaniah|strong="H0245"\w*, \w Binnui|strong="H1131"\w* \w of the sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Henadad|strong="H2582"\w*, \w Kadmiel|strong="H6934"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w Their colleagues|strong="H0251"\w* \w were as follows:|strong="H7645"\w*  
\p \w Shebaniah|strong="H7645"\w*, \w Hodiah|strong="H1940"\w*, \w Kelita|strong="H7042"\w*, \w Pelaiah|strong="H6411"\w*, \w Hanan|strong="H2605"\w*,   
\p
\v 11  \w Mica|strong="H4316"\w*, \w Rehob|strong="H7340"\w*, \w Hashabiah|strong="H2811"\w*,   
\p
\v 12  \w Zaccur|strong="H2139"\w*, \w Sherebiah|strong="H8274"\w*, \w Shebaniah|strong="H7645"\w*,   
\p
\v 13  \w Hodiah|strong="H1940"\w*, \w Bani|strong="H1137"\w*, \w and Beninu|strong="H1148"\w*.   
\p
\v 14  \w The leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w of the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w were as follows:|strong="H6551"\w*  
\p \w Parosh|strong="H6551"\w*, \w Pahath-Moab|strong="H6355"\w*, \w Elam|strong="H5867"\w*, \w Zattu|strong="H2240"\w*, \w Bani|strong="H1137"\w*,   
\p
\v 15  \w Bunni|strong="H1138"\w*, \w Azgad|strong="H5803"\w*, \w Bebai|strong="H0893"\w*,   
\p
\v 16  \w Adonijah|strong="H0138"\w*, \w Bigvai|strong="H0902"\w*, \w Adin|strong="H5720"\w*,   
\p
\v 17  \w Ater|strong="H0333"\w*, \w Hezekiah|strong="H2396"\w*, \w Azzur|strong="H5809"\w*,   
\p
\v 18  \w Hodiah|strong="H1940"\w*, \w Hashum|strong="H2828"\w*, \w Bezai|strong="H1209"\w*,   
\p
\v 19  \w Hariph|strong="H2756"\w*, \w Anathoth|strong="H6068"\w*, \w Nebai|strong="H5109"\w*,   
\p
\v 20  \w Magpiash|strong="H4047"\w*, \w Meshullam|strong="H4918"\w*, \w Hezir|strong="H2387"\w*,   
\p
\v 21  \w Meshezabel|strong="H4898"\w*, \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w*, \w Jaddua|strong="H3037"\w*,   
\p
\v 22  \w Pelatiah|strong="H6410"\w*, \w Hanan|strong="H2605"\w*, \w Anaiah|strong="H6043"\w*,   
\p
\v 23  \w Hoshea|strong="H1954"\w*, \w Hananiah|strong="H2608"\w*, \w Hasshub|strong="H2815"\w*,   
\p
\v 24  \w Hallohesh|strong="H3873"\w*, \w Pilha|strong="H6401"\w*, \w Shobek|strong="H7733"\w*,   
\p
\v 25  \w Rehum|strong="H7348"\w*, \w Hashabnah|strong="H2812"\w*, \w Maaseiah|strong="H4641"\w*,   
\p
\v 26  \w Ahiah|strong="H0281"\w*, \w Hanan|strong="H2605"\w*, \w Anan|strong="H6052"\w*,   
\p
\v 27  \w Malluch|strong="H4409"\w*, \w Harim|strong="H2766"\w*, \w and Baanah|strong="H1196"\w*.   
\p
\v 28 “\w Now the rest|strong="H7605"\w* \w of the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w – the priests|strong="H3548"\w*, \w the Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w the gatekeepers|strong="H7778"\w*, \w the singers|strong="H7891"\w*, \w the temple attendants|strong="H5411"\w*, \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w those who have separated|strong="H0914"\w* \w themselves from the neighboring|strong="H0776"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w* \w because of the law|strong="H8451"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w along with their wives|strong="H0802"\w*, \w their sons|strong="H1121"\w*, \w and their daughters|strong="H1323"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of whom are able to understand|strong="H0995"\w* –  
\v 29  \w hereby participate|strong="H2388"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w their colleagues|strong="H0251"\w* \w the town leaders|strong="H0117"\w* \w and enter into|strong="H0935"\w* \w a curse|strong="H0423"\w* \w and an oath|strong="H7621"\w* \w to adhere to|strong="H1980"\w* \w the law|strong="H8451"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w* \w which|strong="H0834"\w* \w was given|strong="H5414"\w* \w through|strong="H3027"\w* \w Moses|strong="H4872"\w* \w the servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w and to obey|strong="H6213"\w* \w carefully|strong="H0995"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the commandments|strong="H4687"\w* \w of the \+nd LORD\+nd*|strong="H3068"\w* \w our Lord|strong="H0136"\w*, \w along with his ordinances|strong="H4941"\w* \w and his statutes|strong="H2706"\w*.   
\p
\v 30 “\w We will not|strong="H3808"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w our daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w in marriage to the neighboring|strong="H0776"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w*, \w and we will not|strong="H3808"\w* \w take|strong="H3947"\w* \w their daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w in marriage for our sons|strong="H1121"\w*.  
\v 31  \w We will not|strong="H3808"\w* \w buy|strong="H7676"\w* \w on|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* Sabbath \w or on a holy|strong="H6944"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w from the|strong="H0853"\w* \w neighboring|strong="H0776"\w* \w peoples|strong="H5971"\w* \w who bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w their wares|strong="H4728"\w* \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w kinds of grain|strong="H7668"\w* \w to sell|strong="H4376"\w* \w on the Sabbath|strong="H7676"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*. \w We will let the fields lie fallow|strong="H5203"\w* \w every seventh|strong="H7637"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w*, \w and we will cancel|strong="H4855"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w loan|strong="H3027"\w*.  
\v 32  \w We accept responsibility for fulfilling|strong="H5921"\w* \w the commands|strong="H4687"\w* \w to give|strong="H5921"\w* \w one third|strong="H7992"\w* \w of a shekel|strong="H8255"\w* \w each year|strong="H8141"\w* \w for the work|strong="H5656"\w* \w of the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of our God|strong="H0430"\w*,  
\v 33  \w for the loaves|strong="H3899"\w* \w of presentation|strong="H4635"\w* \w and for the regular|strong="H8548"\w* \w grain offerings|strong="H4503"\w* \w and regular|strong="H8548"\w* \w burnt offerings|strong="H5930"\w*, \w for the Sabbaths|strong="H7676"\w*, \w for the new moons|strong="H2320"\w*, \w for the appointed meetings|strong="H4150"\w*, \w for the holy|strong="H6944"\w* \w offerings, for the sin offerings|strong="H2403"\w* \w to make atonement|strong="H3722"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w and for all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the work|strong="H4399"\w* \w of the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of our God|strong="H0430"\w*.   
\p
\v 34 “\w We|strong="H3605"\w* – \w the|strong="H3605"\w* priests, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Levites, \w and|strong="H3478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* people – \w have|strong="H3478"\w* cast lots \w concerning|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* wood \w offerings|strong="H4503"\w*, \w to|strong="H5921"\w* bring \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w according|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w families|strong="H1004"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* designated \w times|strong="H4150"\w* year \w by|strong="H5921"\w* year \w to|strong="H5921"\w* burn \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* altar \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \nd LORD\nd* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w as|strong="H1004"\w* \w is|strong="H0430"\w* written \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* law.  
\v 35  \w We also accept responsibility for|strong="H0935"\w* \w bringing|strong="H0935"\w* \w the first fruits|strong="H1061"\w* \w of our land|strong="H0127"\w* \w and the first fruits|strong="H1061"\w* \w of every|strong="H3605"\w* \w fruit|strong="H6529"\w* \w tree|strong="H6086"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w by year|strong="H8141"\w* \w to the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of the \+nd LORD\+nd*|strong="H3068"\w*.  
\v 36  \w We also accept responsibility, as is written|strong="H3789"\w* \w in the law|strong="H8451"\w*, \w for bringing|strong="H0935"\w* \w the firstborn|strong="H1060"\w* \w of our sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w and our cattle|strong="H0929"\w* \w and the firstborn|strong="H1060"\w* \w of our herds|strong="H1241"\w* \w and of our flocks|strong="H6629"\w* \w to the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of our God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w to the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w who are ministering|strong="H8334"\w* \w in the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of our God|strong="H0430"\w*.  
\v 37  \w We will also bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w the first|strong="H7225"\w* \w of our coarse meal|strong="H6182"\w*, \w of our contributions|strong="H8641"\w*, \w of the fruit|strong="H6529"\w* \w of every|strong="H3605"\w* \w tree|strong="H6086"\w*, \w of new wine|strong="H8492"\w*, \w and of olive oil|strong="H3323"\w* \w to the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w at|strong="H0413"\w* \w the storerooms|strong="H3957"\w* \w of the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of our God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w along with a tenth|strong="H4643"\w* \w of the produce|strong="H0127"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w our|strong="H0430"\w* land \w to the Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w for the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w are the ones who collect the tithes|strong="H6237"\w* \w in all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w where we work|strong="H5656"\w*.  
\v 38  \w A priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w of Aaron’s|strong="H0175"\w* \w line|strong="H1961"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w be|strong="H0430"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w when the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w collect the tithes|strong="H6237"\w*, \w and the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w will bring up|strong="H5927"\w* \w a tenth|strong="H4643"\w* \w of the tithes|strong="H4643"\w* \w to the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of our God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the storerooms|strong="H3957"\w* \w of the treasury|strong="H0214"\w*.  
\v 39  \w The Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w and the Levites|strong="H3878"\w* \w will bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w the contribution|strong="H8641"\w* \w of the grain|strong="H1715"\w*, \w the new wine|strong="H8492"\w*, \w and the olive oil|strong="H3323"\w* \w to the storerooms|strong="H3957"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w the utensils|strong="H3627"\w* \w of the sanctuary|strong="H4720"\w* \w are kept, and where the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w who minister|strong="H8334"\w* \w stay, along with the gatekeepers|strong="H7778"\w* \w and the singers|strong="H7891"\w*. \w We will not|strong="H3808"\w* \w neglect|strong="H5800"\w* \w the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of our God|strong="H0430"\w*.”   
\c 11  
\p
\v 1  \w So the leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w of the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w settled|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w while the rest|strong="H7605"\w* \w of the people|strong="H5971"\w* \w cast|strong="H5307"\w* \w lots|strong="H1486"\w* \w to bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w out|strong="H4480"\w* \w of every ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w to settle|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w the holy|strong="H6944"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*, \w while the other nine|strong="H8672"\w* \w remained in other cities|strong="H5892"\w*.  
\v 2  \w The people|strong="H5971"\w* \w gave their blessing|strong="H1288"\w* \w on all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w who volunteered|strong="H5068"\w* \w to settle|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.   
\p
\v 3  \w These|strong="H0428"\w* \w are the provincial|strong="H4082"\w* \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w settled|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. \w (While other Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, \w the priests|strong="H3548"\w*, \w the Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w the temple attendants|strong="H5411"\w*, \w and the sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of the servants|strong="H5650"\w* \w of Solomon|strong="H8010"\w* \w settled|strong="H3427"\w* \w in the cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w each|strong="H0376"\w* \w on his own property|strong="H0272"\w* \w in their cities|strong="H5892"\w*,  
\v 4  \w some of the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w and some of the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w settled|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.)  
\p \w Of the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w*:  
\p \w Athaiah|strong="H6265"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Uzziah|strong="H5818"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Zechariah|strong="H2148"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Amariah|strong="H0568"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Shephatiah|strong="H8203"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Mahalalel|strong="H4111"\w*, \w from the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Perez|strong="H6557"\w*;  
\v 5  \w and Maaseiah|strong="H4641"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Baruch|strong="H1263"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Col-Hozeh|strong="H3626"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hazaiah|strong="H2382"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Adaiah|strong="H5718"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Joiarib|strong="H3114"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Zechariah|strong="H2148"\w*, \w from the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Shelah|strong="H8023"\w*.  
\v 6  \w The sum total|strong="H3605"\w* \w of the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Perez|strong="H6557"\w* \w who were settling in|strong="H3427"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w was 468|strong="H8083"\w* \w exceptional|strong="H2428"\w* \w men|strong="H0582"\w*.   
\p
\v 7  \w These|strong="H0428"\w* \w are the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*:  
\p \w Sallu|strong="H5543"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Meshullam|strong="H4918"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Joed|strong="H3133"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Pedaiah|strong="H6305"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Kolaiah|strong="H6964"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Maaseiah|strong="H4641"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Ithiel|strong="H0384"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Jeshaiah|strong="H3470"\w*,  
\v 8  \w and his followers|strong="H0310"\w*, \w Gabbai|strong="H1373"\w* \w and Sallai|strong="H5543"\w* \w – 928|strong="H8083"\w* \w in|strong="H3967"\w* \w all|strong="H0310"\w*.  
\v 9  \w Joel|strong="H3100"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Zicri|strong="H2147"\w* \w was the officer|strong="H6496"\w* \w in charge|strong="H5921"\w* \w of them, and Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hassenuah|strong="H5574"\w* \w was second-in-command|strong="H4932"\w* \w over the city|strong="H5892"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w From|strong="H4480"\w* \w the priests|strong="H3548"\w*:  
\p \w Jedaiah|strong="H3048"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Joiarib|strong="H3114"\w*, \w Jakin|strong="H3199"\w*,  
\v 11  \w Seraiah|strong="H8304"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hilkiah|strong="H2518"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Meshullam|strong="H4918"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Zadok|strong="H6659"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Meraioth|strong="H4812"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Ahitub|strong="H0285"\w*, \w supervisor|strong="H5057"\w* \w in the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w*,  
\v 12  \w and their colleagues|strong="H0251"\w* \w who were carrying out|strong="H6213"\w* \w work|strong="H4399"\w* \w for the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w – 822|strong="H8147"\w*; \w and Adaiah|strong="H5718"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Jeroham|strong="H3395"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Pelaliah|strong="H6421"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Amzi|strong="H0557"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Zechariah|strong="H2148"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Pashhur|strong="H6583"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Malkijah|strong="H4441"\w*,  
\v 13  \w and his colleagues|strong="H0251"\w* \w who were heads|strong="H7218"\w* \w of families|strong="H0001"\w* – \w 242|strong="H8147"\w*; \w and Amashsai|strong="H6023"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Azarel|strong="H5832"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Ahzai|strong="H0273"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Meshillemoth|strong="H4919"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Immer|strong="H0564"\w*,  
\v 14  \w and his colleagues|strong="H0251"\w* \w who|strong="H1368"\w* \w were|strong="H2428"\w* \w exceptional|strong="H2428"\w* \w men|strong="H1368"\w* – 128. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w officer|strong="H6496"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H1121"\w* \w Zabdiel|strong="H2068"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Haggedolim.   
\p
\v 15  \w From|strong="H4480"\w* \w the Levites|strong="H3881"\w*:  
\p \w Shemaiah|strong="H8098"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hasshub|strong="H2815"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Azrikam|strong="H5840"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hashabiah|strong="H2811"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Bunni|strong="H1138"\w*;  
\v 16  \w Shabbethai|strong="H7678"\w* \w and Jozabad|strong="H3107"\w*, \w leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w of the Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w were in charge of|strong="H5921"\w* \w the external|strong="H2435"\w* \w work|strong="H4399"\w* \w for the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w*;  
\v 17  \w Mattaniah|strong="H4983"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Mica|strong="H4318"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Zabdi|strong="H2067"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Asaph|strong="H0623"\w*, \w the praise|strong="H7218"\w* \w leader|strong="H7218"\w* \w who led|strong="H8462"\w* \w in thanksgiving|strong="H3034"\w* \w and prayer|strong="H8605"\w*; \w Bakbukiah|strong="H1229"\w*, \w second|strong="H4932"\w* \w among his colleagues|strong="H0251"\w*; \w and Abda|strong="H5653"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Shammua|strong="H8051"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Galal|strong="H1559"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Jeduthun|strong="H3038"\w*.  
\v 18  \w The sum total|strong="H3605"\w* \w of the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w in the holy|strong="H6944"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w was 284|strong="H0702"\w*.   
\p
\v 19  \w And the gatekeepers|strong="H7778"\w*:  
\p \w Akkub|strong="H6126"\w*, \w Talmon|strong="H2929"\w* \w and their colleagues|strong="H0251"\w* \w who were guarding|strong="H8104"\w* \w the gates|strong="H8179"\w* \w – 172|strong="H8147"\w*.   
\p
\v 20  \w And the rest|strong="H7605"\w* \w of the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w*, \w with the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w and the Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w were in all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w each|strong="H0376"\w* \w on his own property|strong="H5159"\w*.   
\p
\v 21  \w The temple attendants|strong="H5411"\w* \w were living|strong="H3427"\w* \w on Ophel|strong="H6077"\w*, \w and Ziha|strong="H6727"\w* \w and Gishpa|strong="H1658"\w* \w were over them|strong="H5411"\w*.   
\p
\v 22  \w The overseer|strong="H6496"\w* \w of the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w in Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w was Uzzi|strong="H5813"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Bani|strong="H1137"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Hashabiah|strong="H2811"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Mattaniah|strong="H4983"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Mica|strong="H4316"\w*. \w He was one of Asaph’s|strong="H0623"\w* \w descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w who were the singers|strong="H7891"\w* \w responsible|strong="H5048"\w* \w for the service|strong="H4399"\w* \w of the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w*.  
\v 23  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w they were under royal|strong="H4428"\w* \w orders|strong="H4687"\w* \w which determined their activity|strong="H0548"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w by day|strong="H3117"\w*.   
\p
\v 24  \w Pethahiah|strong="H6611"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Meshezabel|strong="H4898"\w*, \w one of the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Zerah|strong="H2226"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w was an adviser to the king|strong="H4428"\w* \w in every|strong="H3605"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w* \w pertaining to the people|strong="H5971"\w*.   
\p
\v 25  \w As for the settlements|strong="H2691"\w* \w with their fields|strong="H7704"\w*, \w some of the people of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w settled|strong="H3427"\w* \w in Kiriath Arba|strong="H7153"\w* \w and its neighboring villages|strong="H1323"\w*, \w in Dibon|strong="H1769"\w* \w and its villages|strong="H1323"\w*, \w in Jekabzeel|strong="H3343"\w* \w and its settlements|strong="H2691"\w*,  
\v 26  \w in Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w*, \w in Moladah|strong="H4137"\w*, \w in Beth Pelet|strong="H1046"\w*,  
\v 27  \w in Hazar Shual|strong="H2705"\w*, \w in Beer Sheba|strong="H0884"\w* \w and its villages|strong="H1323"\w*,  
\v 28  \w in Ziklag|strong="H6860"\w*, \w in Meconah|strong="H4368"\w* \w and its villages|strong="H1323"\w*,  
\v 29  \w in En Rimmon|strong="H5884"\w*, \w in Zorah|strong="H6881"\w*, \w in Jarmuth|strong="H3412"\w*,  
\v 30  \w Zanoah|strong="H2182"\w*, \w Adullam|strong="H5725"\w* \w and their settlements|strong="H2691"\w*, \w in Lachish|strong="H3923"\w* \w and its fields|strong="H7704"\w*, \w and in Azekah|strong="H5825"\w* \w and its villages|strong="H1323"\w*. \w So they were encamped|strong="H2583"\w* \w from Beer Sheba|strong="H0884"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the Valley|strong="H1516"\w* \w of Hinnom|strong="H2011"\w*.   
\p
\v 31  \w Some of the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1144"\w* \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w* \w settled in Geba|strong="H1387"\w*, \w Micmash|strong="H4363"\w*, \w Aija|strong="H5857"\w*, \w Bethel|strong="H1008"\w* \w and its villages|strong="H1323"\w*,  
\v 32  \w in Anathoth|strong="H6068"\w*, \w Nob|strong="H5011"\w*, \w and Ananiah|strong="H6055"\w*,  
\v 33  \w in Hazor|strong="H2674"\w*, \w Ramah|strong="H7414"\w*, \w and Gittaim|strong="H1664"\w*,  
\v 34  \w in Hadid|strong="H2307"\w*, \w Zeboim|strong="H6650"\w*, \w and Neballat|strong="H5041"\w*,  
\v 35  \w in Lod|strong="H3850"\w*, \w Ono|strong="H0207"\w*, \w and|strong="H1516"\w* the \w Valley|strong="H1516"\w* \w of the Craftsmen|strong="H2791"\w*.  
\v 36  \w Some|strong="H4480"\w* \w of the Judean|strong="H3063"\w* \w divisions|strong="H4256"\w* \w of the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w settled in Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*.   
\c 12  
\p
\v 1  \w These|strong="H0428"\w* \w are the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w and Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w returned|strong="H5927"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w Zerubbabel|strong="H2216"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Shealtiel|strong="H7597"\w* \w and Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w*\w : Seraiah|strong="H8304"\w*, \w Jeremiah|strong="H3414"\w*, \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w*,  
\v 2  \w Amariah|strong="H0568"\w*, \w Malluch|strong="H4409"\w*, \w Hattush|strong="H2407"\w*,  
\v 3  \w Shecaniah|strong="H7935"\w*, \w Rehum|strong="H7348"\w*, \w Meremoth|strong="H4822"\w*,  
\v 4  \w Iddo|strong="H5714"\w*, \w Ginnethon|strong="H1599"\w*, \w Abijah|strong="H0029"\w*,  
\v 5  \w Mijamin|strong="H4326"\w*, \w Moadiah|strong="H4573"\w*, \w Bilgah|strong="H1083"\w*,  
\v 6  \w Shemaiah|strong="H8098"\w*, \w Joiarib|strong="H3114"\w*, \w Jedaiah|strong="H3048"\w*,  
\v 7  \w Sallu|strong="H5543"\w*, \w Amok|strong="H5987"\w*, \w Hilkiah|strong="H2518"\w*, \w and Jedaiah|strong="H3048"\w*. \w These|strong="H0428"\w* \w were the leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w of the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w and their colleagues|strong="H0251"\w* \w in the days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w*.   
\p
\v 8  \w And the Levites|strong="H3881"\w*\w : Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w*, \w Binnui|strong="H1131"\w*, \w Kadmiel|strong="H6934"\w*, \w Sherebiah|strong="H8274"\w*, \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w and Mattaniah|strong="H4983"\w*, \w who together with his colleagues|strong="H0251"\w* \w was in charge|strong="H5921"\w* \w of the songs of thanksgiving|strong="H1960"\w*.  
\v 9  \w Bakbukiah|strong="H1229"\w* \w and Unni|strong="H6042"\w*, \w their colleagues|strong="H0251"\w*, \w stood opposite|strong="H5048"\w* \w them in the services|strong="H4931"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w* \w was the father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of|strong="H3113"\w* \w Joiakim|strong="H3113"\w*, \w Joiakim|strong="H3113"\w* \w was the father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of Eliashib|strong="H0475"\w*, \w Eliashib|strong="H0475"\w* \w was the father of Joiada|strong="H3111"\w*,  
\v 11  \w Joiada|strong="H3111"\w* \w was the father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of Jonathan|strong="H3129"\w*, \w and Jonathan|strong="H3129"\w* \w was the father|strong="H3205"\w* \w of Jaddua|strong="H3037"\w*.   
\p
\v 12  \w In the days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of Joiakim|strong="H3113"\w*, \w these were|strong="H1961"\w* \w the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w who were leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w of the families|strong="H0001"\w*\w : of Seraiah|strong="H8304"\w*, \w Meraiah|strong="H4811"\w*; \w of Jeremiah|strong="H3414"\w*, \w Hananiah|strong="H2608"\w*;  
\v 13  \w of Ezra|strong="H5830"\w*, \w Meshullam|strong="H4918"\w*; \w of Amariah|strong="H0568"\w*, \w Jehohanan|strong="H3076"\w*;  
\v 14  \w of Malluch|strong="H4409"\w*, \w Jonathan|strong="H3129"\w*; \w of Shecaniah|strong="H7645"\w*, \w Joseph|strong="H3130"\w*;  
\v 15  \w of Harim|strong="H2766"\w*, \w Adna|strong="H5733"\w*; \w of Meremoth|strong="H4812"\w*, \w Helkai|strong="H2517"\w*;  
\v 16  \w of Iddo|strong="H5714"\w*, \w Zechariah|strong="H2148"\w*; \w of Ginnethon|strong="H1599"\w*, \w Meshullam|strong="H4918"\w*;  
\v 17  \w of Abijah|strong="H0029"\w*, \w Zicri|strong="H2147"\w*; \w of Miniamin|strong="H4509"\w* \w and|strong="H4153"\w* of Moadiah, \w Piltai|strong="H6408"\w*;  
\v 18  \w of Bilgah|strong="H1083"\w*, \w Shammua|strong="H8051"\w*; \w of Shemaiah|strong="H8098"\w*, \w Jehonathan|strong="H3083"\w*;  
\v 19  \w of Joiarib|strong="H3114"\w*, \w Mattenai|strong="H4982"\w*; \w of Jedaiah|strong="H3048"\w*, \w Uzzi|strong="H5813"\w*;  
\v 20  \w of Sallu|strong="H5543"\w*, \w Kallai|strong="H7040"\w*; \w of Amok|strong="H5987"\w*, \w Eber|strong="H5677"\w*;  
\v 21  \w of Hilkiah|strong="H2518"\w*, \w Hashabiah|strong="H2811"\w*; \w of Jedaiah|strong="H3048"\w*, \w Nethanel|strong="H5417"\w*.   
\p
\v 22  \w As for the Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w in the days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of Eliashib|strong="H0475"\w*, \w Joiada|strong="H3111"\w*, \w Johanan|strong="H3110"\w* \w and Jaddua|strong="H3037"\w* \w the heads|strong="H7218"\w* \w of families|strong="H0001"\w* \w were recorded|strong="H3789"\w*, \w as were the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w during the reign|strong="H4438"\w* \w of Darius|strong="H1867"\w* \w the Persian|strong="H6542"\w*.  
\v 23  \w The descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Levi|strong="H3878"\w* \w were recorded|strong="H3789"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the Book|strong="H5612"\w* \w of the Chronicles|strong="H3117"\w* \w as|strong="H5704"\w* \w heads|strong="H7218"\w* \w of families|strong="H0001"\w* \w up to the days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of Johanan|strong="H3110"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Eliashib|strong="H0475"\w*.  
\v 24  \w And the leaders|strong="H7218"\w* \w of the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w were Hashabiah|strong="H2811"\w*, \w Sherebiah|strong="H8274"\w*, \w Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Kadmiel|strong="H6934"\w*, \w and their colleagues|strong="H0251"\w*, \w who stood opposite|strong="H5048"\w* \w them to offer praise|strong="H1984"\w* \w and thanks|strong="H3034"\w*, \w one contingent|strong="H4929"\w* \w corresponding|strong="H5980"\w* \w to the other, as specified by|strong="H4929"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w the man|strong="H0376"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w*.   
\p
\v 25  \w Mattaniah|strong="H4983"\w*, \w Bakbukiah|strong="H1229"\w*, \w Obadiah|strong="H5662"\w*, \w Meshullam|strong="H4918"\w*, \w Talmon|strong="H2929"\w*, \w and Akkub|strong="H6126"\w* \w were gatekeepers|strong="H7778"\w* \w who were guarding|strong="H4929"\w* \w the storerooms|strong="H0624"\w* \w at the gates|strong="H8179"\w*.  
\v 26  \w These|strong="H0428"\w* \w all served in the days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of Joiakim|strong="H3113"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Jeshua|strong="H3442"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Jozadak|strong="H3136"\w*, \w and in the days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of Nehemiah|strong="H5166"\w* \w the governor|strong="H6346"\w* \w and of Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w the priestly|strong="H3548"\w* \w scribe|strong="H5608"\w*.   
\s1 \w The|strong="H3117"\w* Wall \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Jerusalem \w is|strong="H3117"\w* Dedicated  
\p
\v 27  \w At the dedication|strong="H2598"\w* \w of the wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w of Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w they sought|strong="H1245"\w* \w out the|strong="H0853"\w* \w Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w from all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the places|strong="H4725"\w* \w they lived|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w them to Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w to celebrate|strong="H6213"\w* \w the dedication|strong="H2598"\w* \w joyfully|strong="H8057"\w* \w with songs of thanksgiving|strong="H8426"\w* \w and songs|strong="H7892"\w* \w accompanied by cymbals|strong="H4700"\w*, \w harps|strong="H5035"\w*, \w and lyres|strong="H3658"\w*.  
\v 28  \w The singers|strong="H7891"\w* \w were also assembled|strong="H0622"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the district|strong="H3603"\w* \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w and from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the settlements|strong="H2691"\w* \w of the Netophathites|strong="H5200"\w*  
\v 29  \w and from Beth|strong="H1004"\w* \w Gilgal|strong="H1537"\w* \w and from the fields|strong="H7704"\w* \w of Geba|strong="H1387"\w* \w and Azmaveth|strong="H5820"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the singers|strong="H7891"\w* \w had built|strong="H1129"\w* \w settlements|strong="H2691"\w* \w for themselves|strong="H1992"\w* \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.  
\v 30  \w When the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w and Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w had purified|strong="H2891"\w* \w themselves, they purified|strong="H2891"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w the gates|strong="H8179"\w*, \w and the wall|strong="H2346"\w*.   
\p
\v 31  \w I brought|strong="H5927"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w up on|strong="H5921"\w* \w top of the wall|strong="H2346"\w*, \w and I appointed|strong="H5975"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w large|strong="H1419"\w* \w choirs to give thanks|strong="H8426"\w*. \w One was to proceed|strong="H8418"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the top of the wall|strong="H2346"\w* \w southward|strong="H3225"\w* \w toward the Dung|strong="H0830"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*.  
\v 32  \w Going|strong="H1980"\w* \w after|strong="H0310"\w* \w them were Hoshaiah|strong="H1955"\w*, \w half|strong="H2677"\w* \w the leaders|strong="H8269"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w*,  
\v 33  \w Azariah|strong="H5838"\w*, \w Ezra|strong="H5830"\w*, \w Meshullam|strong="H4918"\w*,  
\v 34  \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w Benjamin|strong="H1144"\w*, \w Shemaiah|strong="H8098"\w*, \w Jeremiah|strong="H3414"\w*,  
\v 35  \w some of the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w with trumpets|strong="H2689"\w*, \w Zechariah|strong="H2148"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Jonathan|strong="H3129"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Shemaiah|strong="H8098"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Mattaniah|strong="H4983"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Micaiah|strong="H4320"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Zaccur|strong="H2139"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Asaph|strong="H0623"\w*,  
\v 36  \w and his colleagues|strong="H0251"\w* \w – Shemaiah|strong="H8098"\w*, \w Azarel|strong="H5832"\w*, \w Milalai|strong="H4450"\w*, \w Gilalai|strong="H1562"\w*, \w Maai|strong="H4597"\w*, \w Nethanel|strong="H5417"\w*, \w Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w and Hanani|strong="H2607"\w* \w – with musical|strong="H7892"\w* \w instruments|strong="H3627"\w* \w of|strong="H1732"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w the man|strong="H0376"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w*. \w (Ezra|strong="H5830"\w* \w the scribe|strong="H5608"\w* \w led|strong="H6440"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w*.)  
\v 37  \w They went over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the Fountain|strong="H5869"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w and continued directly|strong="H5048"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w the steps|strong="H4609"\w* \w of the City|strong="H5892"\w* \w of David|strong="H1732"\w* \w on the ascent|strong="H4608"\w* \w to the wall|strong="H2346"\w*. \w They passed the house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and continued|strong="H5704"\w* \w on to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the Water|strong="H4325"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w toward the east|strong="H4217"\w*.   
\p
\v 38  \w The second|strong="H8145"\w* \w choir|strong="H8426"\w* \w was proceeding|strong="H1980"\w* \w in the opposite|strong="H4136"\w* \w direction. I|strong="H0589"\w* \w followed|strong="H0310"\w* \w them, along with half|strong="H2677"\w* \w the people|strong="H5971"\w*, \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w top of the wall|strong="H2346"\w*, \w past the Tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w of the Ovens|strong="H8574"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the Broad|strong="H7342"\w* \w Wall|strong="H2346"\w*,  
\v 39  \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the Ephraim|strong="H0669"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w the Jeshanah|strong="H3466"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w the Fish|strong="H1709"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*, \w the Tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w of Hananel|strong="H2606"\w*, \w and the Tower|strong="H4026"\w* \w of the Hundred|strong="H3968"\w*, \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the Sheep|strong="H6629"\w* \w Gate|strong="H8179"\w*. \w They stopped|strong="H5975"\w* \w at the Gate|strong="H8179"\w* \w of the Guard|strong="H4307"\w*.   
\p
\v 40  \w Then|strong="H5975"\w* \w the two|strong="H8147"\w* \w choirs|strong="H5975"\w* \w that gave thanks|strong="H8426"\w* \w took their stations|strong="H1004"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H0589"\w* \w temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w*. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w did also, along with half|strong="H2677"\w* \w the officials|strong="H5461"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w me|strong="H0589"\w*,  
\v 41  \w and the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w – Eliakim|strong="H0471"\w*, \w Maaseiah|strong="H4641"\w*, \w Miniamin|strong="H4509"\w*, \w Micaiah|strong="H4320"\w*, \w Elioenai|strong="H0454"\w*, \w Zechariah|strong="H2148"\w*, \w and Hananiah|strong="H2608"\w*, \w with their trumpets|strong="H2689"\w* –  
\v 42  \w and also Maaseiah|strong="H4641"\w*, \w Shemaiah|strong="H8098"\w*, \w Eleazar|strong="H0499"\w*, \w Uzzi|strong="H5813"\w*, \w Jehohanan|strong="H3076"\w*, \w Malkijah|strong="H4441"\w*, \w Elam|strong="H5867"\w*, \w and Ezer|strong="H5829"\w*. \w The choirs|strong="H8085"\w* \w sang|strong="H7891"\w* \w loudly|strong="H3156"\w* under \w the|strong="H8085"\w* direction \w of|strong="H8085"\w* \w Jezrahiah|strong="H3156"\w*.  
\v 43  \w And on that day|strong="H3117"\w* \w they offered|strong="H2076"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H2077"\w* \w and rejoiced|strong="H8055"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w had given them great|strong="H1419"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w*. \w The women|strong="H0802"\w* \w and children|strong="H3206"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w rejoiced|strong="H8055"\w*. \w The rejoicing|strong="H8057"\w* \w in Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w could be heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w from far away|strong="H7350"\w*.   
\p
\v 44  \w On that day|strong="H3117"\w* \w men|strong="H0376"\w* \w were appointed|strong="H6485"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w the storerooms|strong="H5393"\w* \w for the contributions|strong="H8641"\w*, \w first fruits|strong="H7225"\w*, \w and tithes|strong="H4643"\w*, \w to gather|strong="H3664"\w* \w into them from|strong="H7704"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w fields|strong="H7704"\w* \w of the cities|strong="H5892"\w* \w the portions prescribed|strong="H4521"\w* \w by the law|strong="H8451"\w* \w for the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w and the Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the people of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w took delight|strong="H8057"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w and Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w who|strong="H5975"\w* \w were ministering|strong="H5975"\w*.  
\v 45  \w They performed|strong="H8104"\w* \w the service|strong="H4931"\w* \w of their God|strong="H0430"\w* \w and the service|strong="H4931"\w* \w of purification|strong="H2893"\w*, \w along with the singers|strong="H7891"\w* \w and gatekeepers|strong="H7778"\w*, \w according to the commandment|strong="H4687"\w* \w of David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w his|strong="H8104"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w Solomon|strong="H8010"\w*.  
\v 46  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w long ago|strong="H6924"\w*, \w in the days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and Asaph|strong="H0623"\w*, \w there|strong="H6924"\w* \w had been directors|strong="H7218"\w* \w for the singers|strong="H7891"\w* \w and for the songs|strong="H7892"\w* \w of praise|strong="H8416"\w* \w and thanks|strong="H3034"\w* \w to God|strong="H0430"\w*.  
\v 47  \w So in the days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of Zerubbabel|strong="H2216"\w* \w and in the days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of Nehemiah|strong="H5166"\w*, \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w was contributing|strong="H5414"\w* \w the portions|strong="H4521"\w* \w for the singers|strong="H7891"\w* \w and gatekeepers|strong="H7778"\w*, \w according to the daily|strong="H3117"\w* \w need|strong="H1697"\w*. \w They also set aside|strong="H6942"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w portion|strong="H4521"\w* \w for the Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w and the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w set aside the portion|strong="H6942"\w* \w for the descendants|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Aaron|strong="H0175"\w*.   
\c 13  
\p
\v 1  \w On that day|strong="H3117"\w* \w the book|strong="H5612"\w* \w of Moses|strong="H4872"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w read|strong="H7121"\w* \w aloud in the hearing|strong="H0241"\w* \w of the people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w They found|strong="H4672"\w* \w written|strong="H3789"\w* \w in it that|strong="H0834"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w Ammonite|strong="H5984"\w* \w or Moabite|strong="H4125"\w* \w may ever|strong="H5769"\w* \w enter|strong="H0935"\w* \w the assembly|strong="H6951"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w*,  
\v 2  \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w they had not|strong="H3808"\w* \w met|strong="H6923"\w* \w the Israelites|strong="H3478"\w* \w with food|strong="H3899"\w* \w and water|strong="H4325"\w*, \w but instead had hired|strong="H7936"\w* \w Balaam|strong="H1109"\w* \w to curse|strong="H7043"\w* \w them. (Our God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w however, turned|strong="H2015"\w* \w the curse|strong="H7045"\w* \w into blessing|strong="H1293"\w*.)  
\v 3  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w they heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w the law|strong="H8451"\w*, \w they removed from|strong="H0914"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w who were of mixed ancestry|strong="H6154"\w*.   
\p
\v 4  \w But prior|strong="H6440"\w* \w to this|strong="H2088"\w* \w time, Eliashib|strong="H0475"\w* \w the priest|strong="H3548"\w*, \w a relative|strong="H7138"\w* \w of Tobiah|strong="H2900"\w*, \w had been appointed over|strong="H5414"\w* \w the storerooms|strong="H3957"\w* \w of the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of our God|strong="H0430"\w*.  
\v 5  \w He made|strong="H6213"\w* \w for himself a large|strong="H1419"\w* \w storeroom|strong="H3957"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w previously|strong="H6440"\w* \w they had been|strong="H1961"\w* \w keeping|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w grain offering|strong="H4503"\w*, \w the incense|strong="H3828"\w*, \w and the vessels|strong="H3627"\w*, \w along with the tithes|strong="H4643"\w* \w of the grain|strong="H1715"\w*, \w the new wine|strong="H8492"\w*, \w and the olive oil|strong="H3323"\w* \w as commanded|strong="H4687"\w* \w for the Levites|strong="H3881"\w*, \w the singers|strong="H7891"\w*, \w the gate keepers|strong="H7778"\w*, \w and the offering|strong="H8641"\w* \w for the priests|strong="H3548"\w*.   
\p
\v 6  \w During all|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w time I was|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w in Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w in the thirty-second|strong="H8147"\w* \w year|strong="H8141"\w* \w of King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Artaxerxes|strong="H0783"\w* \w of Babylon|strong="H0894"\w*, \w I had gone back|strong="H0935"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w After|strong="H7093"\w* \w some time|strong="H3117"\w* \w I had requested|strong="H7592"\w* \w leave of the king|strong="H4428"\w*,  
\v 7  \w and I returned|strong="H0935"\w* \w to Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. \w Then|strong="H0995"\w* \w I discovered|strong="H0995"\w* \w the evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w Eliashib|strong="H0475"\w* \w had done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for Tobiah|strong="H2900"\w* \w by supplying|strong="H6213"\w* \w him with a storeroom|strong="H5393"\w* \w in the courts|strong="H2691"\w* \w of the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w*.  
\v 8  \w I was very|strong="H3966"\w* \w upset|strong="H7489"\w*, \w and I threw|strong="H7993"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of Tobiah’s|strong="H2900"\w* \w household|strong="H1004"\w* \w possessions out|strong="H2351"\w* \w of the storeroom|strong="H3957"\w*.  
\v 9  \w Then I gave instructions that the storerooms|strong="H3957"\w* \w should be purified|strong="H2891"\w*, \w and I brought back|strong="H7725"\w* \w the equipment|strong="H3627"\w* \w of the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w along with|strong="H0854"\w* \w the grain offering|strong="H4503"\w* \w and the incense|strong="H3828"\w*.   
\p
\v 10  \w I|strong="H3045"\w* \w also discovered|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the grain offerings|strong="H4521"\w* \w for the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w had|strong="H1272"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w been provided|strong="H5414"\w*, \w and that as a result|strong="H1272"\w* \w the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w and the singers|strong="H7891"\w* \w who performed|strong="H6213"\w* \w this work|strong="H4399"\w* \w had all gone off to their fields|strong="H7704"\w*.  
\v 11  \w So|strong="H7378"\w* \w I registered|strong="H0854"\w* \w a complaint with|strong="H0854"\w* \w the leaders, asking “Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w is the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of God|strong="H0430"\w* \w neglected|strong="H5800"\w*\w ?” Then I gathered|strong="H6908"\w* \w them and reassigned|strong="H5977"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w their|strong="H5921"\w* positions.   
\p
\v 12  \w Then all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w brought|strong="H0935"\w* \w the tithe|strong="H4643"\w* \w of the grain|strong="H1715"\w*, \w the new wine|strong="H8492"\w*, \w and the olive oil|strong="H3323"\w* \w to the storerooms|strong="H0214"\w*.  
\v 13  \w I gave instructions|strong="H0686"\w* \w that Shelemiah|strong="H8018"\w* \w the priest|strong="H3548"\w*, \w Zadok|strong="H6659"\w* \w the scribe|strong="H5608"\w*, \w and a certain Levite|strong="H3881"\w* \w named Pedaiah|strong="H6305"\w* \w be put in charge|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H0214"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* storerooms, \w and that Hanan|strong="H2605"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Zaccur|strong="H2139"\w*, \w the son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Mattaniah|strong="H4983"\w*, \w be their assistant|strong="H3027"\w*, \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w they were regarded|strong="H2803"\w* \w as trustworthy|strong="H0539"\w*. \w It was then their responsibility to oversee the distribution|strong="H2505"\w* \w to their colleagues|strong="H0251"\w*.   
\p
\v 14  \w Please remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w me for this|strong="H2063"\w*, \w O my God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w and do not|strong="H0408"\w* \w wipe out|strong="H4229"\w* \w the kindness|strong="H2617"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w I have done|strong="H6213"\w* \w for the temple|strong="H1004"\w* \w of my God|strong="H0430"\w* \w and for its services|strong="H4929"\w*!   
\p
\v 15  \w In those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w I saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w people in Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w treading|strong="H1869"\w* \w winepresses|strong="H1660"\w* \w on the Sabbath|strong="H7676"\w*, \w bringing|strong="H0935"\w* \w in heaps of grain|strong="H6194"\w* \w and loading|strong="H6006"\w* \w them onto|strong="H5921"\w* \w donkeys|strong="H2543"\w*, \w along with|strong="H0637"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w*, \w grapes|strong="H6025"\w*, \w figs|strong="H8384"\w*, \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w kinds of loads|strong="H4853"\w*, \w and bringing|strong="H0935"\w* \w them to Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w on the Sabbath|strong="H7676"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*. \w So I warned|strong="H5749"\w* \w them on the day|strong="H3117"\w* \w that they sold|strong="H4376"\w* \w these provisions|strong="H6718"\w*.  
\v 16  \w The people from Tyre|strong="H6876"\w* \w who lived|strong="H3427"\w* \w there were bringing|strong="H0935"\w* \w fish|strong="H1709"\w* \w and all|strong="H3605"\w* \w kinds of merchandise|strong="H4377"\w* \w and were selling|strong="H4376"\w* \w it on the Sabbath|strong="H7676"\w* \w to the people of Judah|strong="H3063"\w* \w – and in Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*, \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w places|strong="H3605"\w*!  
\v 17  \w So|strong="H7378"\w* \w I registered|strong="H7378"\w* \w a complaint with|strong="H0854"\w* \w the nobles|strong="H2715"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3063"\w*, \w saying|strong="H0559"\w* \w to them, “What|strong="H4100"\w* \w is this|strong="H1697"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are doing|strong="H6213"\w*, \w profaning|strong="H2490"\w* \w the Sabbath|strong="H7676"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*?  
\v 18  \w Isn’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w this|strong="H3541"\w* \w the way your ancestors|strong="H0001"\w* \w acted|strong="H6213"\w*, \w causing|strong="H0935"\w* \w our God|strong="H0430"\w* \w to bring|strong="H0935"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w them and on|strong="H5921"\w* \w this city|strong="H5892"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w this misfortune|strong="H7451"\w*\w ? And now you|strong="H0859"\w* \w are causing|strong="H0935"\w* \w even more wrath|strong="H2740"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*, \w profaning|strong="H2490"\w* \w the Sabbath|strong="H7676"\w* \w like|strong="H3808"\w* \w this|strong="H2063"\w*!”   
\p
\v 19  \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w the evening shadows|strong="H6751"\w* \w began to fall on the gates|strong="H8179"\w* \w of Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w the Sabbath|strong="H7676"\w*, \w I ordered|strong="H0559"\w* \w the doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w to be closed|strong="H5462"\w*. \w I further directed|strong="H0559"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w they were not|strong="H3808"\w* \w to be opened|strong="H6605"\w* \w until|strong="H5704"\w* \w after|strong="H0310"\w* \w the Sabbath|strong="H7676"\w*. \w I positioned|strong="H5975"\w* \w some of my young men|strong="H5288"\w* \w at|strong="H5975"\w* \w the gates|strong="H8179"\w* \w so that no|strong="H3808"\w* \w load|strong="H4853"\w* \w could enter|strong="H0935"\w* \w on the Sabbath|strong="H7676"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w*.  
\v 20  \w The traders|strong="H7402"\w* \w and sellers|strong="H4376"\w* \w of all|strong="H3605"\w* \w kinds of merchandise|strong="H4465"\w* \w spent|strong="H3885"\w* \w the night outside|strong="H2351"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w once or twice|strong="H6471"\w*.  
\v 21  \w But I warned|strong="H5749"\w* \w them and said|strong="H0413"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H4069"\w* \w do you|strong="H0859"\w* \w spend|strong="H3885"\w* \w the night by|strong="H5048"\w* \w the wall|strong="H2346"\w*\w ? If|strong="H0518"\w* \w you repeat|strong="H8138"\w* \w this, I will forcibly remove|strong="H7971"\w* \w you!”|strong="H4480"\w* \w From|strong="H4480"\w* \w that time|strong="H6256"\w* \w on they did not|strong="H3808"\w* \w show up|strong="H0935"\w* \w on the Sabbath|strong="H7676"\w*.  
\v 22  \w Then I directed the Levites|strong="H3881"\w* \w to purify|strong="H2891"\w* \w themselves and come|strong="H0935"\w* \w and guard|strong="H8104"\w* \w the gates|strong="H8179"\w* \w in order to keep the Sabbath|strong="H7676"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w holy|strong="H6942"\w*.  
\p \w For this|strong="H2063"\w* \w please remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w me, O my God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w and have pity|strong="H2347"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w me in keeping with your great|strong="H7230"\w* \w love|strong="H2617"\w*.   
\p
\v 23  \w Also|strong="H1571"\w* \w in those|strong="H1992"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w I saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the men of Judah|strong="H3064"\w* \w who had married women|strong="H0802"\w* \w from Ashdod|strong="H0796"\w*, \w Ammon|strong="H4125"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w Moab|strong="H4125"\w*.  
\v 24  \w Half|strong="H2677"\w* \w of their children|strong="H1121"\w* \w spoke|strong="H1696"\w* \w the language|strong="H0797"\w* \w of Ashdod|strong="H0797"\w* \w (or the language|strong="H3956"\w* \w of one of the other peoples mentioned|strong="H5971"\w* \w ) and were unable|strong="H5234"\w* \w to speak|strong="H1696"\w* \w the language|strong="H3066"\w* \w of Judah|strong="H3066"\w*.  
\v 25  \w So|strong="H7378"\w* \w I entered a complaint|strong="H7378"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w them. I called down a curse|strong="H7043"\w* \w on them, and I struck|strong="H5221"\w* \w some|strong="H1992"\w* \w of the men|strong="H0376"\w* \w and pulled|strong="H4803"\w* \w out their hair. I had them swear|strong="H7650"\w* \w by God|strong="H0430"\w* \w saying, “You will not marry off|strong="H5375"\w* \w your daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w to their sons|strong="H1121"\w*, \w and you will|strong="H5414"\w* \w not|strong="H0518"\w* \w take|strong="H5375"\w* \w any of their daughters|strong="H1323"\w* \w as wives for your sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w or|strong="H0518"\w* \w for|strong="H0518"\w* \w yourselves|strong="H5375"\w*!  
\v 26  \w Was it not|strong="H3808"\w* \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w of things like these|strong="H0428"\w* \w that King|strong="H4428"\w* \w Solomon|strong="H8010"\w* \w of Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w sinned|strong="H2398"\w*\w ? Among the many|strong="H7227"\w* \w nations|strong="H1471"\w* \w there was no|strong="H3808"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w like|strong="H3644"\w* \w him. He was loved|strong="H0157"\w* \w by his God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w and God|strong="H0430"\w* \w made|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w*. \w But the foreign|strong="H5237"\w* \w wives|strong="H0802"\w* \w made even|strong="H1571"\w* \w him sin|strong="H2398"\w*!  
\v 27  \w Should we then in your case hear|strong="H8085"\w* \w that you do|strong="H6213"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w this great|strong="H1419"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w*, \w thereby being unfaithful|strong="H4603"\w* \w to our God|strong="H0430"\w* \w by marrying|strong="H3427"\w* \w foreign|strong="H5237"\w* \w wives|strong="H0802"\w*?”   
\p
\v 28  \w Now one of the sons|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Joiada|strong="H3111"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of Eliashib|strong="H0475"\w* \w the high|strong="H1419"\w* \w priest|strong="H3548"\w* \w was a son-in-law|strong="H2860"\w* \w of Sanballat|strong="H5571"\w* \w the Horonite|strong="H2772"\w*. \w So I banished|strong="H1272"\w* \w him from|strong="H1272"\w* \w my|strong="H5921"\w* sight.   
\p
\v 29  \w Please remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*, \w O my God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w because they have defiled|strong="H1352"\w* \w the priesthood|strong="H3550"\w*, \w the covenant|strong="H1285"\w* \w of the priesthood|strong="H3550"\w*, \w and the Levites|strong="H3881"\w*.   
\p
\v 30  \w So I purified|strong="H2891"\w* \w them of everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w foreign|strong="H5236"\w*, \w and I assigned|strong="H5975"\w* \w specific|strong="H4399"\w* \w duties|strong="H4931"\w* \w to the priests|strong="H3548"\w* \w and the Levites|strong="H3881"\w*.  
\v 31  \w I also provided for|strong="H6086"\w* \w the|strong="H2142"\w* \w wood|strong="H6086"\w* \w offering at|strong="H6256"\w* \w the appointed|strong="H2163"\w* \w times|strong="H6256"\w* \w and also for the first fruits|strong="H1061"\w*.  
\p \w Please remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w me for good|strong="H2896"\w*, \w O my God|strong="H0430"\w*.