Nehemiah 13

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;

On that day, they shared Moses' teachings with the people. It was written that the Ammonite and Moabite were forever barred from God's assembly.

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.

This was because they did not meet the Israelites with food and water, but hired Balaam to curse them. Yet our God, in His infinite mercy, turned that curse into a blessing.

Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.

When they heard the law, they separated from Israel everyone of foreign descent.

And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:

Before this event, Eliashib, the priest in charge of God's house, had formed a close bond with Tobiah.

And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.

He had lovingly set up a grand room for him, where they used to place the food gifts, the frankincense, and the sacred items. This room also held the portions of grain, fresh wine, and oil that were meant for the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the priests.

But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:

Throughout all this, I wasn't in Jerusalem. It was during the 32nd year of King Artaxerxes' reign in Babylon when I approached him. After a few days, he granted me permission to leave.

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.

I arrived in Jerusalem, deeply upset by Eliashib's betrayal. He had wronged us by providing Tobiah a room within God's sacred temple.

And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff to Tobiah out of the chamber.

I was deeply upset, so I threw out all of Tobiah's belongings from the room.

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 instructed, and they purified the rooms. I returned God's sacred items there, along with the food offerings and the fragrant 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 realized that the Levites hadn't received their share. The Levites and singers, who served, had all returned to their own fields out of necessity.

Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

I confronted the leaders, asking, "Why has God's house been abandoned?" I then gathered them and put them back where they belonged.

Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.

All of Judah, with hearts full of devotion, joyfully offered a tenth of their grain, fresh wine, and oil to the sacred storehouses.

And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.

I appointed trustworthy leaders for our resources: Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the writer, and Pedaiah from the Levites. Beside them was Hanan, Zaccur's son, Mattaniah's grandson. They were chosen for their faithfulness, and their duty was to share with their brothers.

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.

God, please don't forget all the good I've done for your sacred home and its duties.

In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses 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.

During that time, I noticed people in Judah working on the Sabbath - crushing grapes, carrying loads of grain, and transporting wine, grapes, figs, and other goods into Jerusalem. I spoke out against them for selling food on this sacred day.

There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

Men from Tyre lived there too, bringing and selling fish and various goods to the people of Judah and Jerusalem, even on the Sabbath.

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?

I confronted Judah's leaders, filled with frustration, and asked, "Why are you doing this terrible thing and disrespecting the sacred Sabbath?"

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.

Didn't our ancestors act in the same way, causing God to bring hardship upon us and our city? Yet, you continue to anger God by disrespecting the sacred day of rest, causing more harm to our people.

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.

As dusk fell over Jerusalem, just before the Sabbath, I ordered the city gates to be closed. I insisted they remain shut until the Sabbath ended. I stationed some of my men at the gates, ensuring nothing would disrupt the sacred day.

So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.

Occasionally, traders and vendors of various goods would set up camp just outside Jerusalem.

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.

I confronted them, asking, "Why do you hang around the wall? If you do this again, I will lay hands on you." After that, they no longer came 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.

I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates, to keep the Sabbath holy. Please remember this act too, my God, and show me your immense mercy.

In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:

During that time, I noticed Jewish men who had taken wives from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.

And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews’ language, but according to the language of each people.

Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of one of the other peoples. They couldn't speak the language of the Jews at all.

And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.

I confronted them and called down curses on them. I beat some of them, tore out their hair in my wrath, and made them swear by God. I sternly warned them, "Do not let your daughters marry their sons, or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves."

Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.

Didn't even Solomon, the great king of Israel, fall into sin? Despite being unique among kings and deeply loved by God, who made him ruler over all Israel, he was led astray by foreign women.

Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?

Should we listen to you, leading us to such a terrible wrong, betraying our God by marrying foreign wives?

And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.

Joiada's son, who was also Eliashib the high priest's grandson, had married Sanballat the Horonite's daughter. I was so upset by this, I drove him away.

Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.

God, please remember those who have tainted the sacredness of the priesthood and broken the covenant of the Levites.

Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business;

I purified them from all foreign influences, and assigned roles to the priests and Levites, each according to their duties, with a sense of purpose and dedication.

And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

I also arranged for the offerings of wood at the set times, and for the first harvest. Always remember me, my dear God, in your kindness.