Nehemiah 13
Nehemiah's
Reforms |
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On that day they read in the book of
Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written,
that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the
congregation of God for ever;
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2 |
because they met not the children of
Israel with bread and with water, but hired Ba'laam against them,
that he should curse them: Num. 22.1-6 howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. Deut.
23.3-5
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3 |
Now it came to pass, when they had heard
the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed
multitude.
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4 |
And before this, Eli'ashib the priest,
having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobi'ah:
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5 |
and he had prepared for him a great
chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the
frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new
wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the
Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the
priests.
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6 |
But in all this time was not I at
Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerx'es king of
Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I
leave of the king:
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7 |
and I came to Jerusalem, and understood
of the evil that Eli'ashib did for Tobi'ah, in preparing him a
chamber in the courts of the house of God.
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8 |
And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast
forth all the household stuff of Tobi'ah out of the
chamber.
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9 |
Then I commanded, and they cleansed the
chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of
God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.
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10 |
And I perceived that the portions of
the Levites Deut. 12.19 had not been given them: for the Levites and the
singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his
field.
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11 |
Then contended I with the rulers, and
said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them
together, and set them in their place.
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12 |
Then brought all Judah the tithe of the
corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries. Mal.
3.10
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13 |
And I made treasurers over the
treasuries, Shelemi'ah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the
Levites, Pedai'ah: and next to them was Hanan the son of
Zaccur, the son of Mattani'ah: for they were counted faithful, and
their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
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14 |
Remember me, O my God, concerning this,
and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my
God, and for the offices thereof.
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15 |
In those days saw I in Judah some treading winepresses on the sabbath, and bringing in
sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the
sabbath day: Ex. 20.8-10 · Deut. 5.12-14 · Jer. 17.21, 22 and I testified against them in the day wherein they
sold victuals.
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16 |
There dwelt men of Tyre also therein,
which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath
unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
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17 |
Then I contended with the nobles of
Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye
do, and profane the sabbath day?
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18 |
Did not your fathers thus, and did not
our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye
bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.
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19 |
And it came to pass, that when the
gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded
that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be
opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I
at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on
the sabbath day.
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20 |
So the merchants and sellers of all kind
of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
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21 |
Then I testified against them, and said
unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I
will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.
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22 |
And I commanded the Levites, that they
should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me,
O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the
greatness of thy mercy.
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23 |
In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of
Moab:
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24 |
and their children spake half in the
speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but
according to the language of each people.
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25 |
And I contended with them, and cursed
them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and
made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your
daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons,
or for yourselves. Ex. 34.11-16 · Deut. 7.1-5
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26 |
Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by
these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who
was beloved of his God, 2 Sam. 12.24, 25 and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him
did outlandish women cause to sin. 1 Kgs. 11.1-8
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27 |
Shall we then hearken unto you to do all
this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange
wives?
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28 |
And one of the sons of Joi'ada,
the son of Eli'ashib the high priest, was son-in-law to
Sanbal'lat Neh. 4.1 the Hor'onite: therefore I chased him from me.
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29 |
Remember them, O my God, because they
have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and
of the Levites.
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30 |
Thus cleansed I them from all
strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites,
every one in his business;
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31 |
and for the wood offering, at times
appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for
good.
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