Nehemiah:13

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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 ; * Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water , but hired Balaam against them , that he should curse them : howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing . * Now it came to pass , when they had heard the law , that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude . * And before this , Eliashib the priest , having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God , was allied unto Tobiah : * 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 show #er #; and the offerings of the priests . * But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem : for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king , and after certain days obtained I leave of the king : * And I came to Jerusalem , and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah , in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God . * And it grieved me sore m @#od #: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber . * Then I commanded , and they cleansed the chambers : and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God , with the meat offering and the frankincense . * And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them : for the Levites and the singers , that did the work m @la #kah #, were fled every one to his field . * Then contended I with the rulers , and said , Why is the house of God forsaken ? And I gathered them together , and set them in their place . * Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries . * And I made treasurers over the treasuries , Shelemiah the priest , and Zadok the scribe , and of the Levites , Pedaiah : and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur , the son of Mattaniah : for they were counted faithful , and their office was to distribute unto their brethren . * Remember me , O my God , concerning this , and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God , and for the offices thereof . * In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath , and bringing in sheaves , and lading asses ; as also wine , grapes , and figs t @#en #, and all manner of burdens , which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day : and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals . * 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 . * 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 ? * 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 . * 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 sha #ar #, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day . * So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice . * Then I testified against them , and said unto them , Why lodge ye about the wall ? if ye do so again , I will lay hands on you . From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath . * And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves , and that they should come and keep the gates sha #ar #, to sanctify the sabbath day . Remember me , O my God , concerning this also , and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy . * In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod , of Ammon , and of Moab Mow #abiy #: * 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 . * And I contended with them , and cursed them , and smote certain of them , and plucked off their hair , and made them swear by God , saying , Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons , nor take their daughters unto your sons , or for yourselves . * Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things ? yet among many nations was there no king like him , who was beloved of his God , and God made him king over all Israel Yisra #el #: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin . * Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil , to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives ? * And one of the sons of Joiada , the son of Eliashib the high priest , was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite : therefore I chased him from me . * Remember them , O my God , because they have defiled the priesthood , and the covenant of the priesthood , and of the Levites . * Thus cleansed I them from all strangers , and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites , every one in his business m @la #kah #; * And for the wood offering , at times appointed , and for the firstfruits . Remember me , O my God , for good .

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