Neh.13.1

Also on that same day there was a reading from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people. It was found written there that no Ammonite or Moabite was permitted to enter the congregation of God,

Neh.13.1

On that day the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people and there it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever be admitted into the assembly of God,

Neh.13.1

On 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 come into the assembly of God,

Neh.13.1

On that same day, as the Book of Moses was being read, the people found a statement which said that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever be permitted to enter the assembly of God.

Neh.13.2

because they hadn't welcomed the People of Israel with food and drink; they even hired Balaam to work against them by cursing them, but our God turned the curse into a blessing.

Neh.13.2

because they had not met the Israelites with food and water but had hired Balaam to call a curse down on them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing.)

Neh.13.2

because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, our God turned the curse into a blessing.

Neh.13.2

For they had not been friendly to the Israelites when they left Egypt. Instead, they hired Balaam to curse them, though our God turned the curse into a blessing.

Neh.13.3

When they heard the reading of The Revelation, they excluded all foreigners from Israel. [JC]

Neh.13.3

When the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all who were of foreign descent.

Neh.13.3

So it was, when they had heard the Law, that they separated all the mixed multitude from Israel.

Neh.13.3

When this law was read, all those of mixed ancestry were immediately expelled from the assembly.

Neh.13.4

Some time before this, Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms of The Temple of God. He was close to Tobiah

Neh.13.4

Before this, Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God. He was closely associated with Tobiah,

Neh.13.4

Now before this, Eliashib the priest, having authority over the storerooms of the house of our God, was allied with Tobiah.

Neh.13.4

Before this had happened, Eliashib the priest, who had been appointed as supervisor of the storerooms of the Temple of our God and who was also a relative of Tobiah,

Neh.13.5

and had made available to him a large storeroom that had been used to store Grain-Offerings, incense, worship vessels, and the tithes of grain, wine, and oil for the Levites, singers, and security guards, and the offerings for the priests.

Neh.13.5

and he had provided him with a large room formerly used to store the grain offerings and incense and temple articles, and also the tithes of grain, new wine and oil prescribed for the Levites, singers and gatekeepers, as well as the contributions for the priests.

Neh.13.5

And he had prepared for him a large room, where previously they had stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the articles, the tithes of grain, the new wine and oil, which were commanded to be given to the Levites and singers and gatekeepers, and the offerings for the priests.

Neh.13.5

had converted a large storage room and placed it at Tobiah's disposal. The room had previously been used for storing the grain offerings, frankincense, Temple utensils, and tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the special portion set aside for the priests. Moses had decreed that these offerings belonged to the Levites, the singers, and the gatekeepers.

Neh.13.6

When this was going on I wasn't there in Jerusalem; in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon, I had traveled back to the king. But later I asked for his permission to leave again.

Neh.13.6

But while all this was going on, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Some time later I asked his permission

Neh.13.6

But during all this I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Then after certain days I obtained leave from the king,

Neh.13.6

I was not in Jerusalem at that time, for I had returned to the king in the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes of Babylon, though I later received his permission to return.

Neh.13.7

I arrived in Jerusalem and learned of the wrong that Eliashib had done in turning over to him a room in the courts of The Temple of God.

Neh.13.7

and came back to Jerusalem. Here I learned about the evil thing Eliashib had done in providing Tobiah a room in the courts of the house of God.

Neh.13.7

and I came to Jerusalem and discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in preparing a room for him in the courts of the house of God.

Neh.13.7

When I arrived back in Jerusalem and learned the extent of this evil deed of Eliashib--that he had provided Tobiah with a room in the courtyards of the Temple of God--

Neh.13.8

I was angry, really angry, and threw everything in the room out into the street, all of Tobiah's stuff.

Neh.13.8

I was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiah's household goods out of the room.

Neh.13.8

And it grieved me bitterly; therefore I threw all the household goods of Tobiah out of the room.

Neh.13.8

I became very upset and threw all of Tobiah's belongings from the room.

Neh.13.9

Then I ordered that they ceremonially cleanse the room. Only then did I put back the worship vessels of The Temple of God, along with the Grain-Offerings and the incense.

Neh.13.9

I gave orders to purify the rooms, and then I put back into them the equipment of the house of God, with the grain offerings and the incense.

Neh.13.9

Then I commanded them to cleanse the rooms; and I brought back into them the articles of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.

Neh.13.9

Then I demanded that the rooms be purified, and I brought back the utensils for God's Temple, the grain offerings, and the frankincense.

Neh.13.10

And then I learned that the Levites hadn't been given their regular food allotments. So the Levites and singers who led the services of worship had all left and gone back to their farms.

Neh.13.10

I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them, and that all the Levites and singers responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields.

Neh.13.10

I also realized that the portions for the Levites had not been given them; for each of the Levites and the singers who did the work had gone back to his field.

Neh.13.10

I also discovered that the Levites had not been given what was due them, so they and the singers who were to conduct the worship services had all returned to work their fields.

Neh.13.11

I called the officials on the carpet, "Why has The Temple of God been abandoned?" I got everyone back again and put them back on their jobs

Neh.13.11

So I rebuked the officials and asked them, "Why is the house of God neglected?" Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts.

Neh.13.11

So I contended with the rulers, and said, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" And I gathered them together and set them in their place.

Neh.13.11

I immediately confronted the leaders and demanded, "Why has the Temple of God been neglected?" Then I called all the Levites back again and restored them to their proper duties.

Neh.13.12

so that all Judah was again bringing in the tithe of grain, wine, and oil to the storerooms.

Neh.13.12

All Judah brought the tithes of grain, new wine and oil into the storerooms.

Neh.13.12

Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the storehouse.

Neh.13.12

And once more all the people of Judah began bringing their tithes of grain, new wine, and olive oil to the Temple storerooms.

Neh.13.13

I put Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and a Levite named Pedaiah in charge of the storerooms. I made Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, their right-hand man. These men had a reputation for honesty and hard work. They were responsible for distributing the rations to their brothers.

Neh.13.13

I put Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and a Levite named Pedaiah in charge of the storerooms and made Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, their assistant, because these men were considered trustworthy. They were made responsible for distributing the supplies to their brothers.

Neh.13.13

And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouse 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 considered faithful, and their task was to distribute to their brethren.

Neh.13.13

I put Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah, one of the Levites, in charge of the storerooms. And I appointed Hanan son of Zaccur and grandson of Mattaniah as their assistant. These men had an excellent reputation, and it was their job to make honest distributions to their fellow Levites.

Neh.13.14

Remember me, O my God, for this. Don't ever forget the devoted work I have done for The Temple of God and its worship.

Neh.13.14

Remember me for this, O my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services.

Neh.13.14

Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services!

Neh.13.14

Remember this good deed, O my God, and do not forget all that I have faithfully done for the Temple of my God.

Neh.13.15

During those days, while back in Judah, I also noticed that people treaded wine presses, brought in sacks of grain, and loaded up their donkeys on the Sabbath. They brought wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of stuff to sell on the Sabbath. So I spoke up and warned them about selling food on that day.

Neh.13.15

In those days I saw men in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, together with wine, grapes, figs and all other kinds of loads. And they were bringing all this into Jerusalem on the Sabbath. Therefore I warned them against selling food on that day.

Neh.13.15

In those days I saw people in Judah treading wine presses 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. And I warned them about the day on which they were selling provisions.

Neh.13.15

One Sabbath day I saw some men of Judah treading their winepresses. They were also bringing in bundles of grain and loading them on their donkeys. And on that day they were bringing their wine, grapes, figs, and all sorts of produce to Jerusalem to sell. So I rebuked them for selling their produce on the Sabbath.

Neh.13.16

Tyrians living there brought in fish and whatever else, selling it to Judeans--in Jerusalem, mind you!-on the Sabbath.

Neh.13.16

Men from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them in Jerusalem on the Sabbath to the people of Judah.

Neh.13.16

Men of Tyre dwelt there also, who brought in fish and all kinds of goods, and sold them on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

Neh.13.16

There were also some men from Tyre bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise. They were selling it on the Sabbath to the people of Judah--and in Jerusalem at that!

Neh.13.17

I confronted the leaders of Judah: "What's going on here? This evil! Profaning the Sabbath!

Neh.13.17

I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this wicked thing you are doing-desecrating the Sabbath day?

Neh.13.17

Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, "What evil thing is this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day?

Neh.13.17

So I confronted the leaders of Judah, "Why are you profaning the Sabbath in this evil way?

Neh.13.18

Isn't this exactly what your ancestors did? And because of it didn't God bring down on us and this city all this misery? And here you are adding to it--accumulating more wrath on Jerusalem by profaning the Sabbath."

Neh.13.18

Didn't your forefathers do the same things, so that our God brought all this calamity upon us and upon this city? Now you are stirring up more wrath against Israel by desecrating the Sabbath."

Neh.13.18

Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath."

Neh.13.18

Wasn't it enough that your ancestors did this sort of thing, so that our God brought the present troubles upon us and our city? Now you are bringing even more wrath upon the people of Israel by permitting the Sabbath to be desecrated in this way!"

Neh.13.19

As the gates of Jerusalem were darkened by the shadows of the approaching Sabbath, I ordered the doors shut and not to be opened until the Sabbath was over. I placed some of my servants at the gates to make sure that nothing to be sold would get in on the Sabbath day.

Neh.13.19

When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day.

Neh.13.19

So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened till after the Sabbath. Then I posted some of my servants at the gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day.

Neh.13.19

So I commanded that from then on the gates of the city should be shut as darkness fell every Friday evening, not to be opened until the Sabbath ended. I also sent some of my own servants to guard the gates so that no merchandise could be brought in on the Sabbath day.

Neh.13.20

Traders and dealers in various goods camped outside the gates once or twice.

Neh.13.20

Once or twice the merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside Jerusalem.

Neh.13.20

Now the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice.

Neh.13.20

The merchants and tradesmen with a variety of wares camped outside Jerusalem once or twice.

Neh.13.21

But I took them to task. I said, "You have no business camping out here by the wall. If I find you here again, I'll use force to drive you off." And that did it; they didn't come back on the Sabbath.

Neh.13.21

But I warned them and said, "Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on they no longer came on the Sabbath.

Neh.13.21

Then I warned them, and said to them, "Why do you spend the night around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you!" From that time on they came no more on the Sabbath.

Neh.13.21

But I spoke sharply to them and said, "What are you doing out here, camping around the wall? If you do this again, I will arrest you!" And that was the last time they came on the Sabbath.

Neh.13.22

Then I directed the Levites to ceremonially cleanse themselves and take over as guards at the gates to keep the sanctity of the Sabbath day. Remember me also for this, my God. Treat me with mercy according to your great and steadfast love. [JC]

Neh.13.22

Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and go and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this also, O my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love.

Neh.13.22

And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should go and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Your mercy!

Neh.13.22

Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and to guard the gates in order to preserve the holiness of the Sabbath. Remember this good deed also, O my God! Have compassion on me according to your great and unfailing love.

Neh.13.23

Also in those days I saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.

Neh.13.23

Moreover, in those days I saw men of Judah who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab.

Neh.13.23

In those days I also saw Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.

Neh.13.23

About the same time I realized that some of the men of Judah had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.

Neh.13.24

Half the children couldn't even speak the language of Judah; all they knew was the language of Ashdod or some other tongue.

Neh.13.24

Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah.

Neh.13.24

And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and could not speak the language of Judah, but spoke according to the language of one or the other people.

Neh.13.24

Even worse, half their children spoke in the language of Ashdod or some other people and could not speak the language of Judah at all.

Neh.13.25

So I took those men to task, gave them a piece of my mind, even slapped some of them and jerked them by the hair. I made them swear to God: "Don't marry your daughters to their sons; and don't let their daughters marry your sons--and don't you yourselves marry them!

Neh.13.25

I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God's name and said: "You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.

Neh.13.25

So I contended with them and cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters as wives to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or yourselves.

Neh.13.25

So I confronted them and called down curses on them. I beat some of them and pulled out their hair. I made them swear before God that they would not let their children intermarry with the pagan people of the land.

Neh.13.26

Didn't Solomon the king of Israel sin because of women just like these? Even though there was no king quite like him, and God loved him and made him king over all Israel, foreign women were his downfall.

Neh.13.26

Was it not because of marriages like these that Solomon king of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, but even he was led into sin by foreign women.

Neh.13.26

Did 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 pagan women caused even him to sin.

Neh.13.26

"Wasn't this exactly what led King Solomon of Israel into sin?" I demanded. "There was no king from any nation who could compare to him, and God loved him and made him king over all Israel. But even he was led into sin by his foreign wives.

Neh.13.27

Do you call this obedience--engaging in this extensive evil, showing yourselves faithless to God by marrying foreign wives?"

Neh.13.27

Must we hear now that you too are doing all this terrible wickedness and are being unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women?"

Neh.13.27

Should we then hear of your doing all this great evil, transgressing against our God by marrying pagan women?"

Neh.13.27

How could you even think of committing this sinful deed and acting unfaithfully toward God by marrying foreign women?"

Neh.13.28

One of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite; I drove him out of my presence.

Neh.13.28

One of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. And I drove him away from me.

Neh.13.28

And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite; therefore I drove him from me.

Neh.13.28

One of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest had married a daughter of Sanballat the Horonite, so I banished him from my presence.

Neh.13.29

Remember them, O my God, how they defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priests and Levites. [JC]

Neh.13.29

Remember them, O my God, because they defiled the priestly office and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.

Neh.13.29

Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.

Neh.13.29

Remember them, O my God, for they have defiled the priesthood and the promises and vows of the priests and Levites.

Neh.13.30

All in all I cleansed them from everything foreign. I organized the orders of service for the priests and Levites so that each man knew his job.

Neh.13.30

So I purified the priests and the Levites of everything foreign, and assigned them duties, each to his own task.

Neh.13.30

Thus I cleansed them of everything pagan. I also assigned duties to the priests and the Levites, each to his service,

Neh.13.30

So I purged out everything foreign and assigned tasks to the priests and Levites, making certain that each knew his work.

Neh.13.31

I arranged for a regular supply of altar wood at the appointed times and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

Neh.13.31

I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me with favor, O my God.

Neh.13.31

and to bringing the wood offering and the firstfruits at appointed times. Remember me, O my God, for good!

Neh.13.31

I also made sure that the supply of wood for the altar was brought at the proper times and that the first part of the harvest was collected for the priests. Remember this in my favor, O my God.