7,497 verses contain “not” (in the KJV: 6,841, in the BSB: 5,241) — showing 2,101–2,200
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And they came up into Judah, and
brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king’s house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save
Jehoahaz, the youngest of his sons.
So they went to war against Judah, invaded it, and carried off all the possessions found in the king’s palace, along with his sons and wives;
not a son was left to him except
Jehoahaz, his youngest.
And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his
bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of
sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.
This continued day after day until two full years had passed. Finally, his intestines came out because of his disease, and he died in severe pain. And his people did not make a fire in his honor as they had done for his fathers.
Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired.
Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but
not in the
sepulchres of the kings.
Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He died, to no one’s
regret, and was buried in the City of David, but
not in the tombs of the kings.
But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took
Joash the son of
Ahaziah, and
stole him from among the king’s sons that were slain, and put him and his
nurse in a
bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of
Ahaziah,)
hid him from
Athaliah, so that she
slew him
not.
But Jehoshabeath daughter of King Jehoram took
Joash son of
Ahaziah and
stole him away from among the sons of the king who were being murdered, and she put him and his
nurse in a
bedroom. Because Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram and the wife of Jehoiada the priest, was
Ahaziah’s sister, she
hid Joash from
Athaliah so that she could
not kill him.
So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.
So the Levites and all Judah did everything that Jehoiada the priest had ordered. Each of them took his men—those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty—for Jehoiada the priest had not released any of the divisions.
Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth of the ranges: and
whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword. For the priest said,
Slay her
not in the house of the LORD.
And Jehoiada the priest sent out the commanders of hundreds in charge of the army, saying, “Bring her out between the ranks, and put to the sword
anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must
not be put to death in the house of the LORD.”
And he set the
porters at the gates of the house of the LORD, that none which was unclean in any thing should enter in.
He stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the LORD, so that nothing unclean could enter for any reason.
And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye
hasten the matter.
Howbeit the Levites
hastened it
not.
So he gathered the priests and Levites and said, “Go out to the cities of Judah and collect the money due annually from all Israel, to repair the house of your God. Do it quickly.” The Levites, however, did
not make
haste.
And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?
So the king called Jehoiada the high priest and said, “Why have you not required the Levites to bring from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the LORD and by the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony?”
Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they
testified against them: but they would
not give ear.
Nevertheless, the LORD sent prophets to bring the people back to Him and to
testify against them; but they would
not listen.
Thus
Joash the king remembered
not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but
slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it.
Thus King
Joash failed to remember the kindness that
Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had extended to him. Instead,
Joash killed Jehoiada’s son. As he lay dying,
Zechariah said, “May the LORD see this and call you to account.”
And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants
conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and
slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him
not in the
sepulchres of the kings.
And when the Arameans had withdrawn, they left
Joash severely wounded. His own servants
conspired against him for
shedding the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest, and they killed him on his bed. So he died and was buried in the City of David, but
not in the tombs of the kings.
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.
And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not wholeheartedly.
But he
slew not their children, but did as it is written in the law in the book of Moses, where the LORD commanded, saying, The fathers shall
not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers, but every man shall die for his own sin.
Yet he did not put their sons to death, but acted according to what is written in the Law, in the Book of Moses, where the LORD commanded: “Fathers must not be put to death for their children, and children must not be put to death for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.”
But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.
But a man of God came to him and said, “O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the LORD is not with Israel—not with any of the Ephraimites.
But the soldiers of the army which
Amaziah sent back, that they should
not go with him to battle, fell upon the cities of Judah, from Samaria even unto Beth-horon, and
smote three thousand of them, and took much
spoil.
Meanwhile the troops that
Amaziah had dismissed from battle
raided the cities of Judah, from Samaria to Beth-horon. They struck down 3,000 people and carried off a great deal of
plunder.
Wherefore the anger of the LORD was
kindled against
Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could
not deliver their own people out of thine hand?
Therefore the anger of the LORD burned against
Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet, who said, “Why have you sought this people’s gods, which could
not deliver them from your hand?”
And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king’s counsel?
forbear; why shouldest thou be
smitten? Then the prophet
forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast
not hearkened unto my counsel.
While he was still speaking, the king asked, “Have we made you the
counselor to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?” So the prophet stopped, but he said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have
not heeded my advice.”
But
Amaziah would
not hear; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of
Edom.
But
Amaziah would
not listen, for this had come from God in order to deliver them into the hand of Jehoash, because they had sought the gods of
Edom.
Now the rest of the acts of
Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they
not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?
As for the rest of the acts of
Amaziah, from beginning to end, are they
not written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel?
And they
withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth
not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast
trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.
They took their stand against King Uzziah and said, “Uzziah, you have no right to offer incense to the LORD. Only the priests, the descendants of Aaron, are consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have acted unfaithfully; you will not receive honor from the LORD God.”
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did:
howbeit he entered
not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.
And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done. In addition, he did
not enter the temple of the LORD. But the people still
behaved corruptly.
Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did
not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father:
Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. And unlike David his father, he did
not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD.
And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for
bondmen and
bondwomen unto you: but are there
not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?
And now you intend to reduce to slavery the men and women of Judah and Jerusalem. But are you not also guilty before the LORD your God?
And said unto them, Ye shall
not bring in the
captives hither: for whereas we have
offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our
trespass: for our
trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel.
“You must
not bring the
captives here,” they said, “for you are
proposing to bring guilt upon us from the LORD and to add to our sins and our guilt. For our guilt is great, and fierce anger is upon Israel.”
And Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not.
For
Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD, and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria: but he helped him
not.
Although
Ahaz had taken a portion from the house of the LORD, from the royal palace, and from the princes and had presented it to the king of Assyria, it did
not help him.
And
Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem: but they brought him
not into the
sepulchres of the kings of Israel: and
Hezekiah his son reigned in his
stead.
And
Ahaz rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of Jerusalem, but he was
not placed in the tombs of the kings of Israel. And his son
Hezekiah reigned in his place.
Also they have shut up the doors of the
porch, and put out the lamps, and have
not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel.
They also shut the doors of the
portico and
extinguished the lamps. They did
not burn incense or present burnt offerings in the Holy Place of the God of Israel.
My sons, be
not now
negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.
Now, my sons, do
not be
negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, to minister before Him, and to burn incense.”
But the priests were too few, so that they could
not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had
sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to
sanctify themselves than the priests.
However, since there were
not enough priests to skin all the burnt offerings, their
Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests had been consecrated. For the Levites had been more
diligent in
consecrating themselves than the priests had been.
For they could
not keep it at that time, because the priests had
not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.
since they had been unable to observe it at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not been gathered in Jerusalem.
So they established a decree to make
proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-
sheba even to
Dan, that they should come to keep the
passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had
not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.
So they established a decree to
circulate a
proclamation throughout Israel, from
Beersheba to
Dan, that the people should come to keep the
Passover of the LORD, the God of Israel, in Jerusalem. For they had
not observed it as a nation as prescribed.
And be
not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which
trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to
desolation, as ye see.
Do
not be like your fathers and brothers who were unfaithful to the LORD, the God of their fathers, so that He made them an object of
horror, as you can see.
Now be ye
not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield
yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath
sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.
Now do
not stiffen your necks as your fathers did. Submit to the LORD and come to His sanctuary, which He has consecrated
forever. Serve the LORD your God, so that His fierce anger will turn away from you.
For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find
compassion before them that lead them
captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is
gracious and
merciful, and will
not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.
For if you return to the LORD, your brothers and sons will receive mercy in the presence of their captors and will return to this land. For the LORD your God is
gracious and
merciful; He will
not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.”
For there were many in the congregation that were
not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was
not clean, to
sanctify them unto the LORD.
Since there were many in the assembly who had
not consecrated themselves, the Levites were in charge of slaughtering the
Passover lambs for every unclean person to
consecrate the lambs to the LORD.
That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be
not cleansed according to the
purification of the sanctuary.
who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of his fathers—even if he is
not cleansed according to the
purification rules of the sanctuary.”
So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.
So there was great
rejoicing in Jerusalem, for
nothing like this had happened there since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel.
Be strong and
courageous, be
not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
“Be strong and
courageous! Do
not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him.
Is
not Hezekiah misleading you to give you over to death by famine and
thirst when he says, ‘The LORD our God will deliver us from the hand of the king of Assyria?’
Hath
not the same
Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?
Did
not Hezekiah himself remove His high places and His altars and say to Judah and Jerusalem, ‘You must worship before one altar, and on it you shall burn sacrifices’?
Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand?
Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of the lands? Have the gods of these nations ever been able to deliver their land from my hand?
Now therefore let
not Hezekiah deceive you, nor
persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?
So now, do
not let
Hezekiah deceive you, and do
not let him mislead you like this. Do
not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or from the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you from my hand!”
He wrote also letters to rail on the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have
not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall
not the God of
Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand.
He also wrote letters
mocking the LORD, the God of Israel, and saying against Him: “Just as the gods of the nations did
not deliver their people from my hand, so the God of
Hezekiah will
not deliver His people from my hand.”
But
Hezekiah rendered
not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
But because his heart was proud,
Hezekiah did
not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came
not upon them in the days of
Hezekiah.
Then
Hezekiah humbled the pride of his heart—he and the people of Jerusalem—so that the wrath of the LORD did
not come upon them during the days of
Hezekiah.
And the LORD spake to
Manasseh, and to his people: but they would
not hearken.
And the LORD spoke to
Manasseh and his people, but they did
not listen.
And humbled
not himself before the LORD, as
Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but Amon
trespassed more and more.
but he did
not humble himself before the LORD as his father
Manasseh had done; instead, Amon increased his guilt.
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.
And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
Go,
enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have
not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.
“Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for those remaining in Israel and Judah concerning the words in the book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that has been poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD by doing all that is written in this book.”
Because they have
forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might
provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall
not be
quenched.
because they have
forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might
provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. My wrath will be poured out upon this place and will
not be
quenched.’
Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.
‘Now I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will
not see all the
calamity that I will bring on this place and on its inhabitants.’” So they brought her answer back to the king.
And
Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that
pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed
not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.
And
Josiah removed all the abominations from all the lands belonging to the Israelites, and he required
everyone in Israel to serve the LORD their God. Throughout his reign they did
not turn aside from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.
And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the LORD your God, and his people Israel,
To the Levites who taught all Israel and were holy to the LORD,
Josiah said: “Put the holy ark in the temple built by Solomon son of David king of Israel. It is
not to be carried around on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel.
And the singers the sons of
Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and
Asaph, and Heman, and
Jeduthun the king’s
seer; and the
porters waited at every gate; they might
not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.
The singers, the descendants of
Asaph, were at their stations according to the command of David,
Asaph, Heman, and
Jeduthun the king’s
seer. And the gatekeepers at each gate did
not need to leave their position, because their fellow Levites made preparations for them.
But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come
not against thee this day, but against the house
wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make
haste:
forbear thee from
meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee
not.
But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah? I have
not come against you
today, but I am fighting another dynasty. God told me to
hurry; so stop
opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you!”
Nevertheless
Josiah would
not turn his face from him, but
disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and
hearkened not unto the words of
Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of
Megiddo.
Josiah, however, did
not turn away from him; instead, in order to
engage him in battle, he
disguised himself. He did
not listen to Neco’s words from the mouth of God, but went to fight him on the Plain of
Megiddo.
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD.
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke for the LORD.
And these were they which went up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsa,
Cherub, Addan, and Immer: but they could
not shew their father’s house, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
The following came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha,
Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but could
not prove that their families were descended from Israel:
These sought their register among those that were reckoned by
genealogy, but they were
not found: therefore were they, as
polluted, put from the priesthood.
These men searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean.
And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should
not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with
Urim and with
Thummim.
The governor ordered them
not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to
consult the
Urim and
Thummim.
From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.
On the first day of the seventh month, the Israelites began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, although the foundation of the temple of the LORD had not been laid.
So that the people could
not discern the noise of the
shout of joy from the noise of the
weeping of the people: for the people
shouted with a loud
shout, and the noise was heard
afar off.
The people could
not distinguish the shouts of joy from the sound of
weeping, because the people were making so much noise. And the sound was heard from
afar.
But
Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have
nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.
But
Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of the families of Israel replied, “You have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone must build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as Cyrus king of Persia has commanded us.”
Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they
not pay
toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt
endamage the revenue of the kings.
Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will
not pay tribute, duty, or
toll, and the royal treasury will suffer.
Now because we have maintenance from the king’s palace, and it was
not meet for us to see the king’s dishonour, therefore have we sent and
certified the king;
Now because we are in the service of the palace and it is not fitting for us to allow the king to be dishonored, we have sent to inform the king
Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me.
Now, therefore, issue an order for these men to stop, so that this city will not be rebuilt until I so order.
Take
heed now that ye fail
not to do this: why should damage grow to the
hurt of the kings?
See that you do
not neglect this matter. Why allow this
threat to increase and the royal interests to suffer?
But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could
not cause them to cease, till the matter came to
Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.
But the eye of their God was on the elders of the Jews, so that they were
not stopped until a report was sent to
Darius and written instructions about this matter were returned.
Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
So this Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundation of the house of God in Jerusalem, and from that time until now it has been under construction, but it has not yet been completed.”
Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the river,
forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be
not hindered.
I
hereby decree what you must do for these elders of the Jews who are rebuilding this house of God: The cost is to be paid in full to these men from the royal treasury out of the taxes of the provinces west of the Euphrates, so that the work will
not be hindered.
Also we
certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers,
porters,
Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall
not be lawful to
impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
And be
advised that you have no authority to
impose tribute, duty, or
toll on any of the priests, Levites, singers, doorkeepers, temple servants, or other servants of this house of God.
And thou,
Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them
not.
And you,
Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God which you possess, are to
appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people west of the Euphrates—all who know the laws of your God. And you are to teach these laws to
anyone who does
not know them.
And
whosoever will
not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to
banishment, or to
confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
If
anyone does
not keep the law of your God and the law of the king, let a strict judgment be executed against him, whether death,
banishment,
confiscation of property, or imprisonment.
Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have
not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the
Canaanites, the
Hittites, the
Perizzites, the Jebusites, the
Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the
Amorites.
After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have
not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the
Canaanites,
Hittites,
Perizzites, Jebusites,
Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and
Amorites.
For we were
bondmen; yet our God hath
not forsaken us in our
bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a
reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
Though we are slaves, our God has
not forsaken us in our
bondage, but He has extended to us grace in the sight of the kings of Persia, giving us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and giving us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.
Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.
Now, therefore, do
not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Never seek their peace or prosperity, so that you may be strong and may eat the good things of the land, leaving it as an inheritance to your sons
forever.’
Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest
not thou be
angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no
remnant nor escaping?
shall we again break Your commandments and
intermarry with the peoples who commit these abominations? Would You
not become so
angry with us as to
wipe us out, leaving no
remnant or
survivor?
And that
whosoever would
not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be
forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.
Whoever failed to appear within three days would
forfeit all his property, according to the counsel of the leaders and elders, and would himself be expelled from the assembly of the exiles.
But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are
not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have
transgressed in this thing.
But there are many people here, and it is the
rainy season. We are
not able to stay out in the open. Nor is this the work of one or two days, for we have
transgressed greatly in this matter.
We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.
We have
behaved corruptly against You and have
not kept the commandments, statutes, and ordinances that You gave Your servant Moses.
And it came to pass in the month
Nisan, in the
twentieth year of
Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had
not been
beforetime sad in his presence.
Now in the month of
Nisan, in the
twentieth year of King
Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been
sad in his presence,
Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance
sad, seeing thou art
not sick? this is
nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very
sore afraid,
so the king said to me, “Why is your face
sad, though you are
not ill? This could only be
sadness of the heart.” I was
overwhelmed with fear
And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should
not my countenance be
sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’
sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?
and replied to the king, “May the king live
forever! Why should I
not be
sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I
rode upon.
I set out at night with a few men. I did
not tell
anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal with me was the one on which I was riding.
And the rulers knew
not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, for I had not yet told the Jews or priests or nobles or officials or any other workers.
And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.
Next to him, the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
And cover
not their iniquity, and let
not their sin be
blotted out from before thee: for they have
provoked thee to anger before the builders.
Do
not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be
blotted out from Your sight, for they have
provoked the builders.
And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much
rubbish; so that we are
not able to build the wall.
Meanwhile, the people of Judah said: “The strength of the laborer fails, and there is so much
rubble that we will never be able to rebuild the wall.”
And our
adversaries said, They shall
not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and
slay them, and cause the work to cease.
And our enemies said, “Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.”
And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
After I had made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Do
not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and
awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
and said, “We have done our best to
buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find
nothing to say.
Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?
So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies?
Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.
“We will restore it,” they replied, “and will require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.” So I summoned the priests and required of the nobles and officials an oath that they would do what they had promised.
Also I
shook 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 promise.
I also
shook out the folds of my
robe and said, “May God likewise
shake out of His house and possession every man who does
not keep this promise. May such a man be
shaken out and have
nothing!” The whole assembly said, “
Amen,” and they praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.
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 governor.
Furthermore, from the day King
Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah, from his
twentieth year until his thirty-second year (twelve years total), neither I nor my brothers
ate the food
allotted to the governor.
But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken 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 of God.
The governors before me had
heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread and wine
plus forty shekels of silver. Their servants also
oppressed the people, but I did
not do this because of my fear 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.
Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of the wall, and all my servants were gathered there for the work; we did not acquire any land.