4,366 verses contain “this” (in the KJV: 2,944, in the BSB: 3,356) — showing 1,501–1,600
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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.
For Pekah the son of Remaliah
slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all
valiant men; because they had
forsaken the LORD God of their fathers.
For in one day Pekah son of Remaliah killed 120,000
valiant men in Judah.
This happened because they had
forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers.
And in the time of his distress did he
trespass yet more against the LORD:
this is that king
Ahaz.
In the time of his distress, King
Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the LORD.
For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.
For behold, this is why our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and daughters and wives are in captivity.
And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers
sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all
this continued until the burnt offering was finished.
The whole assembly was worshiping, the singers were singing, and the trumpeters were playing. All this continued until the burnt offering was completed.
And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.
This proposal pleased the king and the whole assembly.
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.”
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.
Now when all
this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and
brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and
Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.
When all
this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars,
chopped down the Asherah poles, and
tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and
Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property.
And
Azariah the chief priest of the house of
Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left
plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is
this great store.
and
Azariah, the chief priest of the household of
Zadok, answered him, “Since the people began to bring their contributions into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat and there is
plenty left over, because the LORD has blessed His people;
this great abundance is what is left over.”
And thus did
Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
So
this is what
Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the LORD his God.
After
this did
Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against
Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto
Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying,
Later, as
Sennacherib king of Assyria and all his forces besieged
Lachish, he sent his servants to Jerusalem with a message for King
Hezekiah of Judah and all the people of Judah who were in Jerusalem:
“
This is what
Sennacherib king of Assyria says: What is the basis of your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege?
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!”
And for
this cause
Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and
cried to heaven.
This same
Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of
Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And
Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
It was
Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Spring of
Gihon and channeled it down to the west side of the City of David. And
Hezekiah prospered in all that he did.
And he set a carved image, the
idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In
this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:
Manasseh even took the carved image he had made and set it up in the house of God, of which God had said to David and his son Solomon, “In
this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will establish My Name
forever.
Now after
this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of
Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the
fenced cities of Judah.
After
this,
Manasseh rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David from west of
Gihon in the valley to the entrance of the Fish Gate, and he brought it around the hill of Ophel and
heightened it considerably. He also stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities of Judah.
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.”
And she answered them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me,
And Huldah said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Tell the man who sent you
Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah:
that
this is what the LORD says: I am about to bring
calamity on
this place and on its people, according to all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah,
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.’
And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to
enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard;
But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘As for the words that you heard,
Because thine heart was tender, and thou
didst humble
thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against
this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst
thyself before me, and
didst rend thy clothes, and
weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.
because your heart was tender and you humbled
yourself before God when you heard His words against
this place and against its people, and because you have humbled
yourself before Me and you have
torn your clothes and
wept before Me, I have heard you,’ declares the LORD.
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 the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his
testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in
this book.
So the king stood by the
pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of
this covenant that were written in
this book.
After all
this, when
Josiah had prepared the temple,
Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Charchemish by Euphrates: and
Josiah went out against him.
After all
this, when
Josiah had set the temple in order, Neco king of Egypt marched up to fight at Carchemish by the Euphrates, and
Josiah went out to
confront him.
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!”
Then Jeremiah
lamented over
Josiah, and to
this day all the choirs of men and women sing laments over
Josiah. They established them as a statute for Israel, and indeed they are written in the Book of Laments.
Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.
“
This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah.
Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’”
Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah.
And
this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty
knives,
This was the
inventory: 30 gold dishes, 1,000 silver dishes, 29 silver utensils,
Which came with
Zerubbabel: Jeshua,
Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah,
Mordecai, Bilshan, Mizpar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
accompanied by
Zerubbabel, Jeshua,
Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah,
Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah.
This is the count of the men of Israel:
They gave after their ability unto the
treasure of the work
threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests garments.
According to their ability, they gave to the treasury for
this work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000
minas of silver, and 100 priestly garments.
But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of
this house was laid before their eyes,
wept with a loud voice; and many
shouted aloud for joy:
But many of the older priests, Levites, and family heads who had seen the first temple
wept loudly when they saw the foundation of
this temple. Still, many others
shouted joyfully.
Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the
scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to
Artaxerxes the king in
this sort:
Rehum the commander and Shimshai the
scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem to King
Artaxerxes as follows:
And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble
Asnapper brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on
this side the river, and at such a time.
and the rest of the peoples whom the great and honorable Ashurbanipal
deported and settled in the cities of Samaria and elsewhere west of the Euphrates.
This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto
Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on
this side the river, and at such a time.
(
This is the text of the letter they sent to him.) To King
Artaxerxes, From your servants, the men west of the Euphrates:
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.
That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that
this city is a
rebellious city, and
hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved
sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was
this city destroyed.
that a search should be made of the record books of your fathers. In these books you will discover and
verify that the city is a
rebellious city,
harmful to kings and provinces,
inciting sedition from ancient times. That is why
this city was destroyed.
We
certify the king that, if
this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by
this means thou shalt have no portion on
this side the river.
We
advise the king that if
this city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, you will have no dominion west of the Euphrates.
Then sent the king an answer unto Rehum the chancellor, and to Shimshai the
scribe, and to the rest of their companions that dwell in Samaria, and unto the rest beyond the river, Peace, and at such a time.
Then the king sent
this reply: To Rehum the commander, Shimshai the
scribe, and the rest of your associates living in Samaria and elsewhere in the region west of the Euphrates: Greetings.
And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that
this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and
sedition have been made therein.
I issued a decree, and a search was conducted. It was discovered that
this city has revolted against kings from ancient times,
engaging in rebellion and
sedition.
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?
At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall?
At that time Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates went to the Jews and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?”
Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?
They also asked, “What are the names of the men who are constructing this building?”
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.
The copy of the letter that Tatnai, governor on
this side the river, and Shethar-boznai, and his companions the
Apharsachites, which were on
this side the river, sent unto
Darius the king:
This is the text of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates, the officials in the region, sent to King
Darius.
Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of
Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and
this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.
Let it be known to the king that we went into the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. The people are rebuilding it with large stones, and placing timbers in the walls.
This work is being carried out
diligently and is
prospering in their hands.
Then asked we those elders, and said unto them thus, Who commanded you to build this house, and to make up these walls?
So we questioned the elders and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and restore this structure?”
And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.
And this is the answer they returned: “We are servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed.
But after that our fathers had
provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of
Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the
Chaldean, who destroyed
this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.
But since our fathers angered the God of heaven, He delivered them into the hand of
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the
Chaldean who destroyed
this temple and carried away the people to Babylon.
But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.
In his first year, however, Cyrus king of Babylon issued a decree to rebuild this house of God.
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.”
Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king’s
treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build
this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning
this matter.
Now, therefore, if it pleases the king, let a search be made of the royal
archives in Babylon to see if King Cyrus did indeed issue a decree to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us his decision in
this matter.
Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.
Leave this work on the house of God alone. Let the governor and elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its original site.
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 I have made a decree, that
whosoever shall alter
this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be
hanged thereon; and let his house be made a
dunghill for
this.
I also decree that if any man interferes with
this directive, a beam is to be
torn from his house and raised up, and he is to be impaled on it. And his own house shall be made a pile of
rubble for
this offense.
And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy
this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I
Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.
May God, who has caused His Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to alter
this decree or to destroy
this house of God in Jerusalem. I,
Darius, have issued the decree. Let it be carried out with
diligence.
Then Tatnai, governor on
this side the river, Shethar-boznai, and their companions, according to that which
Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.
In
response, Tattenai the governor of the region west of the Euphrates, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates
diligently carried out what King
Darius had decreed.
And
this house was finished on the third day of the month
Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of
Darius the king.
And
this temple was completed on the third day of the month of
Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King
Darius.
And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the
dedication of
this house of God with joy,
Then the people of Israel—the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the exiles—celebrated the
dedication of the house of God with joy.
And offered at the
dedication of
this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
For the
dedication of the house of God they offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and a sin offering for all Israel of twelve male goats, one for each tribe of Israel.
This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready
scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a
scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted
Ezra all his requests, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.
Now
this is the copy of the letter that the king
Artaxerxes gave unto
Ezra the priest, the
scribe, even a
scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.
This is the text of the letter King
Artaxerxes had given to
Ezra the priest and
scribe, an
expert in the commandments and statutes of the LORD to Israel:
That thou mayest
buy speedily with
this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
With
this money, therefore, you are to
buy as many bulls, rams, and lambs as needed, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar at the house of your God in Jerusalem.
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.
Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as
this in the king’s heart, to
beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:
Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put into the heart of the king to so honor the house of the LORD in Jerusalem,
These are now the chief of their fathers, and
this is the
genealogy of them that went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of
Artaxerxes the king.
These are the family heads and
genealogical records of those who returned with me from Babylon during the reign of King
Artaxerxes:
So we fasted and
besought our God for
this: and he was intreated of us.
So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He granted our request.
Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel,
ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all
this was a burnt offering unto the LORD.
Then the exiles who had returned from captivity sacrificed burnt offerings to the God of Israel: 12 bulls for all Israel, 96 rams, 77 lambs, and a sin offering of 12 male goats. All this was a burnt offering to the LORD.
And they delivered the king’s commissions unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.
They also delivered the king’s edicts to the royal satraps and governors of the region west of the Euphrates, who proceeded to assist the people and the house of God.
For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands:
yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in
this trespass.
Indeed, the Israelites have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed has been mixed with the people of the land. And the leaders and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!”
And when I heard
this thing, I rent my garment and my
mantle, and
plucked off the hair of my head and of my
beard, and sat down
astonied.
Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great
trespass unto
this day; and for our
iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a
spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is
this day.
From the days of our fathers to
this day, our guilt has been great. Because of our
iniquities, we and our kings and priests have been delivered into the hands of the kings of the earth and put to the sword and captivity, to
pillage and
humiliation, as we are
this day.
And now, O our God, what shall we say after
this? for we have
forsaken thy commandments,
And now, our God, what can we say after
this? For we have
forsaken the commandments
And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great
trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our
iniquities deserve, and hast given us such
deliverance as
this;
After all that has come upon us because of our evil deeds and our great guilt (though You, our God, have punished us less than our
iniquities deserve and have given us such a
remnant as
this),
O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.
O LORD, God of Israel, You are righteous! For we remain
this day as a
remnant. Here we are before You in our guilt, though because of it no one can stand before You.”
Now when
Ezra had prayed, and when he had
confessed,
weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people
wept very
sore.
While
Ezra prayed and made
this confession,
weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, a very large assembly of Israelites—men, women, and children—gathered around him, and the people
wept bitterly as well.
And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of
Elam, answered and said unto
Ezra, We have
trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning
this thing.
Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, an
Elamite, said to
Ezra: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the people of the land, yet in spite of
this, there is hope for Israel.
Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.
Get up, for
this matter is your
responsibility, and we will support you. Be strong and take action!”
Then arose
Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to
swear that they should do according to
this word. And they
sware.
So
Ezra got up and made the leading priests, Levites, and all Israel take an oath to do what had been said. And they took the oath.
Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the
twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God,
trembling because of
this matter, and for the great rain.
So within the three days, all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled in Jerusalem, and on the
twentieth day of the ninth month, all the people sat in the square at the house of God,
trembling regarding
this matter and because of the heavy rain.
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.
Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us.
Let our leaders represent the whole assembly. Then let
everyone in our towns who has married a foreign woman come at an appointed time, together with the elders and judges of each town, until the fierce anger of our God in
this matter is turned away from us.”
Only
Jonathan the son of
Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about
this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the
Levite helped them.
(Only
Jonathan son of
Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah, supported by Meshullam and Shabbethai the
Levite, opposed
this plan.)
O Lord, I
beseech thee, let now thine ear be
attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and
prosper, I pray thee, thy servant
this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of
this man. For I was the king’s
cupbearer.
O Lord, may Your ear be
attentive to my prayer and to the prayers of Your servants who delight to
revere Your name. Give Your servant success
this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of
this man.” (At that time I was the
cupbearer to the king.)
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
But when
Sanballat the Horonite and
Tobiah the
Ammonite official heard about
this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.
Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
I also told them about the
gracious hand of my God upon me, and what the king had said to me. “Let us start rebuilding,” they replied, and they set their hands to
this good work.
But when
Sanballat the Horonite,
Tobiah the
Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about
this, they
mocked us and
ridiculed us, saying, “What is
this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”
And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of
Gibeon, and of
Mizpah, unto the throne of the governor on
this side the river.
Next to them, repairs were made by Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, and the men of
Gibeon and
Mizpah, who were under the authority of the governor of the region west of the Euphrates.
I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off
this usury.
I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been
lending the people money and grain. Please, let us stop
this usury.
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.
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.