Nehemiah 13

All 31 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 1On that day, they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people, and in it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the congregation of God.
2. 2because they did not meet the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them — yet our God turned the curse into a blessing.
3. 3When they had heard the law, they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
4. 4Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who had oversight of the chambers of the house of our God, was allied with Tobiah.
5. 5He had prepared a large chamber for him where they had previously stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of grain, new wine, and oil, which were commanded to be given to the Levites, the singers, and the gatekeepers, along with the offerings for the priests.
6. 6But during all this time I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king, and after some days I obtained leave from the king.
7. 7When I came to Jerusalem, I learned of the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
8. 8It grieved me deeply, so I threw all of Tobiah's household goods out of the chamber.
9. 9Then I gave orders, and they cleansed the chambers. I brought back the vessels of the house of God, along with the grain offering and the frankincense.
10. 10I perceived that the portions for the Levites had not been given to them, for the Levites and the singers who did the work had each fled to his own field.
11. 11Then I contended with the rulers and said, "Why has the house of God been forsaken?" And I gathered them together and set them in their place.
12. 12Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the storehouses.
13. 13I appointed Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites as treasurers over the storehouses. Next to them was Hanan, son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah. They were considered faithful, and their duty was to distribute to their brothers.
14. 14Remember me, my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out the good deeds I have done for the house of my God and for its services.
15. 15In those days I saw in Judah some treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. I testified against them on the day they sold food.
16. 16Men of Tyre also lived there, who brought in fish and all kinds of goods, and sold them on the Sabbath to the children of Judah and in Jerusalem.
17. 17Then I contended with the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day?"
18. 18"Did not your fathers do the same, and did not our God bring all this evil on us and on this city? Yet you bring more wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath."
19. 19When the gates of Jerusalem began to grow dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the gates be shut and ordered that they not be opened until after the Sabbath. I stationed some of my servants at the gates so that no burden would be brought in on the Sabbath day.
20. 20So the merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice.
21. 21Then I testified against them and said to them, "Why do you lodge about the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on, they came no more on the Sabbath.
22. 22I also commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves and come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me for this also, my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your mercy.
23. 23In those days I also saw Jews who had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab.
24. 24And their children spoke half in the language of Ashdod and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.
25. 25I contended with them and cursed them and struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves."
26. 26Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, even he was led into sin by foreign women.
27. 27Shall we then listen to you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God by marrying foreign wives?
28. 28And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. So I drove him away from me.
29. 29Remember them, my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.
30. 30So I cleansed them from all foreigners and appointed the duties of the priests and the Levites, each one in his task,
31. 31and for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, my God, for good.