with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other held his 18 weapon; and the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded 19 the trumpet was by me. And I said

unto the nobles, and to the rulers and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another: 20 in what place soever ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us; our God shall fight for us. 21 So we wrought in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared. 22 °Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to (23 us, and may labour in the day.

51

So

neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, every one went with his weapon' to the water'.

Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against (2 their brethren the Jews. For there were that said, We, our sons and our daughters, are many: let us get! 3 corn, that we may eat and live. Some

also there were that said, We are mortgaging our 'fields, and our' vineyards, and our houses: let us get! (4 corn, because of the dearth. There

were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute upon our 5 fields and our vineyards. Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought into bondage already: neither is it in our power to help it; for other men have our fields and our vine6 yards. And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. 7 °Then I consulted with myself, and Icontended with the nobles and the 1rulers, and said unto them, "Ye1 exact usury, every one of his brother. And I held a great assembly against 8 them. And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and would yel

even sell your brethren, 'and should' they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found 'never a 9) word. Also I said, 'The thing that ye do is not good: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the heathen our 10) enemies? And I likewise, my brethren and my servants, 'do lend them money and corn on usury'. I pray 11 you, let us leave off this usury. Re

store, I pray you, to them, even this day, their fields', their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that 12 ye exact of them. Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do, leven' as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this 13 promise. Also I shook out my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this 14 promise. Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the 15 governor. But the former governors

:

that were before me were chargeable unto the people, and 'took of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants "bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear 16 of God. Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work. 17) Moreover there were at my table of the Jews and the rulers an hundred and fifty men, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that 18) were round about us. Now that which was prepared for 'one day was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this I 'demanded' not the

bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people. (19 Remember unto me, O my God, for good, all that I have done for this people.

61 Now it came to pass, when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah, and to Geshem the Arabian, and 'unto the rest of our enemies, that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though leven unto that time I had not set up (2 the doors in the gates ;) that Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. 3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and 4 come down to you? And they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same 5 manner. "Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his 6 hand; wherein was written, It is reported among the nations', and 'Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel; for which cause thou buildest the wall: land thou wouldest' be their king, according to 1 these words. And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take 8 counsel together. Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest 9 them out of thine own heart. For they all would have made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. But now, 20 God, strengthen thou my hands.

10

:

And I went! unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of 'Mehetabel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay 11 thee. And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being 'such as I, would go into the

temple to save his life? I will not go (12) in. And I discerned, and', lo, God had not sent him: but he pronounced this prophecy against me: 'and' Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 For this cause was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might re14 proach me. Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and also the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.

15

So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month 16) Elul, in fifty and two days. And it came to pass, when all our enemies heard thereof, that all the heathen that were about us "feared', and were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was 17 wrought of our God. Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the let18 ters of Tobiah came unto them. For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son 'Jehohanan' had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Bere19) chiah to wife. Also they spake of

71

his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and 2 the Levites were appointed, that I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the castle', charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above 3 many. And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand on guard, let them shut the doors, and bar ye them and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house. 4) Now the city was wide and large: but the people were few therein, and 5 the houses were not builded. "And my God put into my heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found

livel

According to another reading, saw. Or, ideputies

..

Ithe book of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and I 6 found written therein: These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and 'that returned untol Jerusalem and to Judah, every one un(7 to his city; who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number of the men of 8 the people of Israel: the children of Parosh, two thousand an hundred 9 and seventy and two. "The children of Shephatiah, three hundred 10 seventy and two. The children of 11 Arah, six hundred fifty and two. The

children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand 12 and eight hundred and eighteen. The children of Elam, a thousand two hun13 dred fifty and four. The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five. 14 The children of Zaccai, seven hun15 dred and threescore. "The children

of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight. 16 The children of Bebai, six hundred 17 twenty and eight. The children of

Azgad, two thousand three hundred 18 twenty and two. "The children of Adonikam, six hundred threescore 19 and seven. "The children of Bigvai, two thousand threescore and seven. 20 The children of Adin, six hundred 21 fifty and five. The children of Ater, 22 of Hezekiah, ninety and eight. The children of Hashum, three hundred 23 twenty and eight. The children of

Bezai, three hundred twenty and four. 24 The children of Hariph, an hundred 25 and twelve. The children of Gib26 eon, ninety and five. "The men of Beth-lehem and Netophah, an hun27 dred fourscore and eight. The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and 28 eight. The men of Beth-azmaveth, 29 forty and two. The men of 'Kiriath1

jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven 30 hundred forty and three. The men of Ramah and Geba, six hundred 31 twenty and one. "The men of Mich

mas, an hundred and twenty and two. 32 The men of Beth-el and Ai, an hun33 dred twenty and three. The men of 34 the other Nebo, fifty and two. The

children of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

1 See Ezra ii. 1, &c.

35 The children of Harim, three hun36 dred and twenty. The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five. 37 °The children of Lod, Hadid, and

Ono, seven hundred twenty and one. 38 The children of Senaah, three thou39 sand nine hundred and thirty. The

priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred 40 seventy and three. The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two. 41 The children of 'Pashhur', a thou

sand two hundred forty and seven. 42 The children of Harim, a thousand (43 and seventeen. The Levites: the chil

dren of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the children of 2Hodevah, seventy and four. 44 °The singers: the children of Asaph, 45 an hundred forty and eight. The

porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, 46 an hundred thirty and eight. The

Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of 'Hasuphal, the children 47 of Tabbaoth; the children of Keros,

the children of Sia, the children of 48 Padon; the children of Lebana, the

children of Hagaba, the children of 49 Salmai; the children of Hanan, the

children of Giddel, the children of 50 Gahar; the children of Reaiah, the

children of Rezin, the children of 51 Nekoda; "the children of Gazzam,

the children of Uzza, the children of 52 Paseah; the children of Besai,

the children of Meunim, the children 53 of Nephushesim'; the children of

Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, 54 the children of Harhur; the chil

dren of Bazlith, the children of Me55 hida, the children of Harsha; the

children of Barkos, the children of 56 Sisera, the children of 'Temah'; the

children of Neziah, the children of 57 Hatipha. The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of 58 Perida; the children of Jaala, the

children of Darkon, the children of 59 Giddel; the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the children 60 of Amon. All the Nethinim', and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety and two. (61 And these were they which went up from Tel-melah, Tel-1harshaꞌ, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could

not shew their fathers' 'houses', nor their seed, whether they were of Is62 rael: the children of Delaiah, the

children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two. 63)°And of the priests: the children of Hobaiah', the children of 'Hakkoz', the children of Barzillai, which took lal wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their 64 name. These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood. 65 And the 2Tirshatha said unto them,

that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest 66 with Urim and Thummim. The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and 67 threescore, beside their 'menservants and their maidservants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing 6 men and singing women. °Their

horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred 69) forty and five; their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and 70 twenty. And some from among

the heads of 'fathers' houses' gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasury! a thousand 'darics' of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and 11 thirty priests' garments. And some

of the heads' of 'fathers' houses' gave linto the 'treasury' of the work twenty thousand 'darics of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of 72 silver. And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and 73 seven priests' garments.

°So the

priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinim', and all Israel, dwelt in their cities.

And when the seventh month 'was comel, the children of Israel were in 81 their cities. And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the

book of the law of Moses, which the (2 LORD had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation, both men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the 3 seventh month. And he read therein before the broad place! that was before the water gate from 'early morning until midday, 'in the presence of! the men and the women, and of those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive 4 unto the book of the law. And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and 'Uriah', and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and 'Malchijah', and Hashum, and Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: 6 and Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with the lifting up of their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the 7 ground. Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, 'Hodiah', Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood 8 in their place. And they read in the book, in the law of God, 'distinctly; and they gave the sense, 8Iso that they understood the reading. 9 °And Nehemiah, which was the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the 10 words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him' for whom nothing is prepared for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye Igrieved'; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. 11 So the Levites stilled all the people,

nims

saying, Hold your peace, for the day 12 is holy; neither be ye grieved. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

13

And on the second day were gathered together the heads of 'fathers' houses of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to give attention to the words 14 of the law. And they found written in the law, 'how that the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month: 15 and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and branches of wild olive', and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make 16 booths, as it is written. °So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the 'broad place of the water gate, and in the ibroad place of the gate of Ephraim. 17 And all the congregation of them

that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and 'dwelt in the booths for since the days of Jeshua the son of Nun unto that day had not the children of Israel done so. And 18 there was very great gladness. Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a 'solemn assembly, according unto the ordinance1.

91

Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with Isackcloth', and earth upon them. 2 And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the 3 iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God a fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God. 4 Then stood up upon the stairs of the

1 Or, Iclosing festival\

and

Levites, Jeshua, and Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud 5 voice unto the LORD their God. Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah', Sherebiah, Hodiah', Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God 'from everlasting to everlasting': and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing 6) and praise. Thou art the LORD, even thou alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all things that are thereon', the seas and all that is in them', and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven 7 worshippeth thee. "Thou art the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest 8 him the name of Abraham; foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanitel, the Hittite', the 'Amorite', and the Perizzite', and the Jebusite', and the Girgashite, even to give it 'unto' his seed, and hast performed thy words; 9 for thou art righteous. And thou sawest the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the (10 Red Sea; and shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land; for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them; 'and' didst get 11 thee a name, as it is this day. And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their 'pursuers thou didst cast into the depths', as a stone into the mighty (12) waters. Moreover thou leddest them in a pillar of cloud' by day; and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light in the way wherein they should 13 go.

"Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgements and true laws, good stat14 utes and commandments: and madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them commandments, and statutes, and 'a law, by 15 the hand of Moses thy servant: and gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth 3 Or, 101 LORD