13,541 verses contain “that” (in the KJV: 12,045, in the BSB: 5,361) — showing 4,501–4,600
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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 us, and labour on the day.
At
that time I also said to the people, “Let every man and his servant
spend the night inside Jerusalem, so
that they can stand guard by night and work by day.”
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, saving that every one put them off for washing.
So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the guards with me changed out of our clothes; each carried his weapon, even to go for water.
And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
About that time there was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews.
For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.
Some were saying, “We and our sons and daughters are numerous. We must get grain in order to eat and stay alive.”
Some also there were
that said, We have
mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses,
that we might
buy corn, because of the
dearth.
Others were saying, “We are
mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our homes to get grain during the famine.”
There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.
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?
Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the
hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil,
that ye exact of them.
Please restore to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses, along with the percentage of the money, grain, new wine, and oil
that you have been
assessing them.”
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.
Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us.
There were 150 Jews and officials at my table, besides the guests from the surrounding nations.
Now
that which was prepared for me daily 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 required not I the bread of the governor, because the
bondage was heavy upon this people.
Each day one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me, and once every ten days an abundance of all kinds of wine was provided. But I did not demand the food
allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy.
Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
Remember me
favorably, O my God, for all
that I have done for this people.
Now it came to pass, when
Sanballat, and
Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard
that I had builded the wall, and
that there was no breach left therein; (though at
that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)
When
Sanballat,
Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard
that I had rebuilt the wall and not a
gap was left—though to
that time I had not yet
installed the doors in the gates—
That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were
planning to
harm me.
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 come down to you?
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?”
Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it,
that thou and the Jews think to
rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall,
that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.
that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—
that you and the Jews are
plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king,
For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be
weakened from the work,
that it be not done. Now therefore, O God,
strengthen my hands.
For they were all trying to
frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be
weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God,
strengthen my hands.
And I said, Should such a man as I
flee? and who is there,
that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
But I replied, “Should a man like me run away? Should one like me go into the temple to save his own life? I will not go!”
And, lo, I perceived
that God had not sent him; but
that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for
Tobiah and
Sanballat had
hired him.
I realized
that God had not sent him, but
that he had uttered this prophecy against me because
Tobiah and
Sanballat had
hired him.
Therefore 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 reproach me.
He had been
hired to
intimidate me so
that I would sin by doing as he suggested, so they could give me a bad name in order to discredit me.
My God, think thou upon
Tobiah and
Sanballat according to these their works, and on the
prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets,
that would have put me in fear.
And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and
disheartened, for they realized
that this task had been accomplished by our God.
That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
Then I put my brother Hanani in charge of Jerusalem, along with Hananiah the commander of the fortress, because he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.
And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people,
that they might be reckoned by
genealogy. And I found a register of the
genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein,
Then my God put it into my heart to
assemble the nobles, the officials, and the people to be
enrolled by
genealogy. I found the
genealogical register of those who had first returned, and I found the following written in it:
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 came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;
These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles carried away to Babylon by
Nebuchadnezzar its king. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town,
And these were they which went up also from Telmelah, Telharesha,
Cherub, Addon, and Immer: but they could not
shew their father’s house, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.
The following came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha,
Cherub, Addon, 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 it was 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
Thummim.
The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest to
consult the
Urim and
Thummim.
And
that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pounds of silver, and
threescore and seven priests’ garments.
The rest of the people gave a total of 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000
minas of silver, and 67 priestly garments.
And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street
that was before the water gate; and they spake unto
Ezra the
scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.
At
that time all the people gathered together in the square before the Water Gate, and they asked
Ezra the
scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.
And
Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all
that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.
On the first day of the seventh month,
Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could
listen and understand.
And he read therein before the street
that was before the water gate from the morning until
midday, before the men and the women, and those
that could understand; and the ears of all the people were
attentive unto the book of the law.
So
Ezra read it
aloud from
daybreak until
noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate, in front of the men and women and those who could understand. And all the people
listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read.
And
Nehemiah, which is 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 words of the law.
Nehemiah the governor,
Ezra the priest and
scribe, and the Levites who were
instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not
mourn or
weep.” For all the people were
weeping as they heard the words of the Law.
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.
Then all the people began to eat and drink, to send out portions, and to
rejoice greatly, because they understood the words
that had been made known to them.
And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:
And they found written in the Law, which the LORD had commanded through Moses, that the Israelites were to dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month.
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 pine branches, and
myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
So they proclaimed this message and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem, saying, “Go out to the hill country and bring back branches of olive, wild olive,
myrtle, palm, and other
leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.”
And all the congregation of them
that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Jeshua the son of
Nun unto
that day had not the children of Israel done so. And there was very great
gladness.
The whole assembly who had returned from exile made booths and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of
Nun until
that day, the Israelites had not celebrated like this. And there was great
rejoicing.
Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.
You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.
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. So
didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day.
You performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, all his officials, and all the people of his land, for You knew they had acted with
arrogance against our fathers. You made a name for
Yourself that endures to 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 persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.
You divided the sea before them, and they crossed through it on dry ground. You
hurled their pursuers into the depths like a stone into
raging waters.
And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their
thirst, and promisedst them
that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst
sworn to give them.
In their hunger You gave them bread from heaven; in their
thirst You brought them water from the rock. You told them to go in and possess the land which You had
sworn to give them.
And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders
that thou
didst among them; but
hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their
bondage: but thou art a God ready to
pardon,
gracious and
merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
They refused to
listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They
stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their
bondage in Egypt. But You are a
forgiving God,
gracious and
compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not
forsake them.
Yea, when they had made them a
molten calf, and said, This is thy God
that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations;
Even when they cast for themselves an image of a
calf and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,’ and when they committed terrible blasphemies,
Yea, forty years
didst thou
sustain them in the wilderness, so
that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.
For forty years You sustained them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.
Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.
You multiplied their descendants like the stars of heaven and brought them to the land You had told their fathers to enter and possess.
So the children went in and possessed the land, and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the
Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land,
that they might do with them as they would.
So their descendants went in and possessed the land; You subdued before them the
Canaanites dwelling in the land. You delivered into their hands the kings and peoples of the land, to do with them as they wished.
But after they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, so
that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and
cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times
didst thou deliver them according to thy
mercies;
But as soon as they had rest, they again did evil in Your sight. So You abandoned them to the hands of their enemies, who had dominion over them. When they
cried out to You again, You heard from heaven, and You delivered them many times in Your
compassion.
And testifiedst against them,
that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and
hearkened not unto thy commandments, but
sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and
hardened their neck, and would not hear.
You
admonished them to turn back to Your law, but they were
arrogant and disobeyed Your commandments. They
sinned against Your ordinances, by which a man will live if he practices them. They
stubbornly shrugged their shoulders; they
stiffened their necks and would not obey.
Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.
So now, our God, the great and mighty and
awesome God who keeps His
gracious covenant, do not view lightly all the
hardship that has come upon us, and upon our kings and leaders, our priests and prophets, our ancestors and all Your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until
today.
Howbeit thou art just in all
that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:
You are just in all
that has
befallen us, because You have acted faithfully, while we have acted wickedly.
Our kings and leaders and priests and fathers did not obey Your law or
listen to Your commandments and warnings
that You gave them.
For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.
For even while they were in their kingdom, with the abundant goodness
that You had given them, and in the
spacious and fertile land
that You had set before them, they would not serve You or turn from their wicked ways.
Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it:
So here we are
today as slaves in the land You gave our fathers to enjoy its fruit and goodness— here we are as slaves!
Now those
that sealed were,
Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,
Now these were the ones who sealed the document:
Nehemiah the governor, son of Hacaliah, and also
Zedekiah,
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the
porters, the singers, the
Nethinims, and all they
that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;
“The rest of the people—the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the people of the land to obey the Law of God—along with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand,
And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:
We will not give our daughters in marriage to the people of the land, and we will not take their daughters for our sons.
And if the people of the land bring ware or any
victuals on the sabbath day to sell,
that we would not
buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day: and
that we would leave the seventh year, and the
exaction of every debt.
When the people of the land bring
merchandise or any kind of grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we will not
buy from them on a Sabbath or holy day. Every seventh year we will let the fields lie
fallow, and will
cancel every debt.
Also the
firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests
that minister in the house of our God:
And we will bring the
firstborn of our sons and our
livestock, as it is written in the Law, and will bring the
firstborn of our herds and flocks to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God.
And
that we should bring the firstfruits of our
dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the
tithes of our ground unto the Levites,
that the same Levites might have the
tithes in all the cities of our
tillage.
Moreover, we will bring to the priests at the storerooms of the house of our God the firstfruits of our
dough, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees, and of our new wine and oil. A tenth of our produce belongs to the Levites, so
that they shall receive
tithes in all the towns where we labor.
For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests
that minister, and the
porters, and the singers: and we will not
forsake the house of our God.
For the Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers stay. Thus we will not neglect the house of our God.”
And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
And the people blessed all the men who
volunteered to live in Jerusalem.
Now these are the chief of the province
that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the
Nethinims, and the children of Solomon’s servants.
These are the heads of the provinces who settled in Jerusalem. (In the villages of Judah, however, each lived on his own property in their towns—the Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants, and descendants of Solomon’s servants—
The descendants of
Perez who settled in Jerusalem totaled 468 men of
valor.
And their brethren
that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of
Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah,
and their associates who did the work at the temple—822 men;
Moreover the
porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren
that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two.
And the gatekeepers: Akkub, Talmon, and their associates, who kept watch at the gates—172 men.
For it was the king’s commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.
For there was a command from the king concerning the singers, an
ordinance regulating their daily
activities.
Now these are the priests and the Levites
that went up with
Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah,
Ezra,
Now these are the priests and Levites who went up with
Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah,
Ezra,
Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them
that gave
thanks,
whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate:
Then I brought the leaders of Judah up on the wall, and I appointed two great
thanksgiving choirs. One was to proceed along the top of the wall to the right, toward the Dung Gate.
And the other company of them
that gave
thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall;
The second
thanksgiving choir proceeded to the left, and I followed it with half the people along the top of the wall, past the Tower of the Ovens to the Broad Wall,
So stood the two companies of them
that gave
thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:
The two
thanksgiving choirs then stood in the house of God, as did I, along with the half of the officials accompanying me,
Also
that day they offered great sacrifices, and
rejoiced: for God had made them
rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children
rejoiced: so
that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even
afar off.
On
that day they offered great sacrifices,
rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also
rejoiced, so
that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from
afar.
And at
that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the
tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah
rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites
that waited.
And on
that same day men were appointed over the rooms
that housed the supplies, contributions, firstfruits, and
tithes. The portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites were gathered into these storerooms from the fields of the villages, because Judah
rejoiced over the priests and Levites who were serving.
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;
At
that time the Book of Moses was read
aloud in the hearing of the people, and in it they found the passage stating
that no
Ammonite or
Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God,
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.
because they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but had
hired Balaam to call down a
curse against them (although our God had 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.
As soon as the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all of foreign descent.
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.
to return to Jerusalem. Then I discovered the evil
that Eliashib had done on behalf of
Tobiah by providing him a room in the courts of the house of God.
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.
Then I ordered
that the rooms be
purified, and I had the articles of the house of God restored to them, along with the grain offerings and
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, were fled every one to his field.
I also learned that because the portions for the Levites had not been given to them, all the Levites and singers responsible for performing the service had gone back to their own fields.
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.
Remember me for this, O my God, and do not
blot out my deeds of loving devotion for the house of my God and for its services.
In those days saw I in Judah some
treading winepresses on the sabbath, and bringing in
sheaves, and
lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, 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.
In those days I saw people in Judah
treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on
donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I
warned them against selling food on
that day.
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?
Then I
rebuked the nobles of Judah and asked, “What is this evil you are doing—
profaning 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.
Did not your forefathers do the same things, so
that our God brought all this
disaster on us and on this city? And now you are
rekindling His wrath against 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, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.
When the evening shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem, just before the Sabbath, I ordered that the gates be shut and not opened until after the Sabbath. I posted some of my servants at the gates so that no load could enter on the Sabbath day.
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.
but I
warned them, “Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I will lay hands on you.” From
that time on, they did not return on the Sabbath.
And I commanded the Levites
that they should
cleanse themselves, and
that they should come and keep the gates, to
sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and
spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
Then I
instructed the Levites to
purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this as well, O my God, and show me mercy according to Your abundant loving devotion.
In those days also saw I Jews
that had married wives of
Ashdod, of
Ammon, and of Moab:
In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from
Ashdod,
Ammon, and Moab.
Shall we then
hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to
transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?
Must we now hear that you too are doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?”
That in those days, when the king
Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in
Shushan the palace,
In those days King
Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the citadel of
Susa.
And when these days were
expired, the king made a feast unto all the people
that were present in
Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace;
At the end of this time, in the garden court of the royal palace, the king held a seven-day feast for all the people in the citadel of
Susa, from the least to the greatest.
And the drinking was according to the law; none did
compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house,
that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.
By order of the king, no limit was placed on the drinking, and every official of his household was to serve each man whatever he desired.
On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was
merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains
that served in the presence of
Ahasuerus the king,
On the seventh day, when the king’s heart was
merry with wine, he ordered the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas—
Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment:
Then the king consulted the wise men who knew the times, for it was customary for him to
confer with the experts in law and justice.
And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people
that are in all the provinces of the king
Ahasuerus.
And in the presence of the king and his princes, Memucan replied, “Queen Vashti has wronged not only the king, but all the princes and the peoples in all the provinces of King
Xerxes.
For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so
that they shall
despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king
Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not.
For the conduct of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to
despise their husbands and say, ‘King
Xerxes ordered Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she did not come.’
If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes,
that it be not altered,
That Vashti come no more before king
Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another
that is better than she.
So if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree, and let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media so
that it cannot be
repealed,
that Vashti shall never again enter the presence of King
Xerxes, and
that her royal position shall be given to a woman better than she.