1
On that day they read in the book of Mosheh in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammoniy and a Moaviy should not enter into the assembly of Elohim forever,
2
because they did not meet the children of Yisra’el with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: however our Elohim turned the curse into a blessing.
3
It came to pass, when they had heard the Torah, that they separated from Yisra’el all the mixed multitude.
4
Now before this, Elyashiv the kohen, who was appointed over the rooms of the house of our Elohim, being allied to Toviyah,
5
had prepared for him a great room, where before they laid the meal offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Leviyim, and the singers, and the gatekeepers; and the wave offerings for the kohenim.
6
But in all this, I was not at Yerushalayim; for in the two and thirtieth year of Artachshasta king of Bavel I went to the king: and after certain days asked I leave of the king,
7
and I came to Yerushalayim, and understood the evil that Elyashiv had done for Toviyah, in preparing him a room in the courts of the House of Elohim.
8
It grieved me severely: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Toviyah out of the room.
9
Then I commanded, and they cleansed the rooms: and there brought I again the vessels of the House of Elohim, with the meal offerings and the frankincense.
10
I perceived that the portions of the Leviyim had not been given them; so that the Leviyim and the singers, who did the work, had fled everyone to his field.
11
Then I contended with the rulers, and said, "Why is the House of Elohim forsaken?" I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
12
Then brought all Yehudah the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the treasuries.
13
I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the kohen, and Tzadoq the scribe, and of the Leviyim, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zakkur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were counted faithful, and their business was to distribute to their brothers.
14
Remember me, my Elohim, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my Elohim, and for its observances.
15
In those days I saw in Yehudah some men treading winepresses on the Shabbat, and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all kinds of burdens, which they brought into Yerushalayim on the Shabbat day: and I testified against them in the day in which they sold food.
16
There lived men of Tzor also therein, who brought in fish, and all kinds of wares, and sold on the Shabbat to the children of Yehudah, and in Yerushalayim.
17
Then I contended with the nobles of Yehudah, and said to them, "What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the Shabbat day?
18
Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our Elohim bring all this disaster on us, and on this city? Yet you bring more wrath on Yisra’el by profaning the Shabbat."
19
It came to pass that, when the gates of Yerushalayim began to be dark before the Shabbat, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened until after the Shabbat. I set some of my servants over the gates, that no burden should be brought in on the Shabbat day.
20
So the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside of Yerushalayim once or twice.
21
Then I testified against them, and said to them, "Why do you stay around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on, they did not come on the Shabbat.
22
I commanded the Leviyim that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Shabbat day. Remember to me, my Elohim, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of your loving kindness.
23
In those days also saw I the Yehudim who had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:
24
and their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Yehudim' language, but according to the language of each people.
25
I contended with them, and cursed them, and struck certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by Elohim, "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves.
26
Did not Shəlomah king of Yisra’el sin by these things? Yet among many nations was there no king like him, and he was beloved of his Elohim, and Elohim made him king over all Yisra’el. Nevertheless foreign women caused even him to sin.
27
Shall we then listen to you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our Elohim in marrying foreign women?"
28
One of the sons of Yoyada, the son of Elyashiv the Kohen Gadol, was son-in-Torah to Sanvallat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.
29
Remember them, my Elohim, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Leviyim.
30
Thus I cleansed them from all foreigners, and appointed duties for the kohenim and for the Leviyim, everyone in his work;
31
and for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the first fruits. Remember me, my Elohim, for good.