Dedication of the wall,

CHAP. XIII. Separation from the multitude.

great companies of them that gave thanks, babel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave whereof one went on the right hand upon the portions of the singers and the porters, the wall toward the dung-gate: every day his portion: and they sanctified 32 And after them went Hoshaiah, and holy things unto the Levites; and the Lehalf of the princes of Judah, vites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.

33 And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam, 34 Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,

CHAP. XIII.

ON that day they read in the book of 35 And certain of the priests' sons Moses in the audience of the peowith trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son ple; and therein was found written, that of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son the Ammonite and the Moabite should not of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son come into the congregation of God for ever; of Zaccur, the son of Asaph: 2 Because they met not the children of 36 And his brethren, Shemajah, and Israel with bread and with water, but Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, hired Balaam against them, that he should and Judah, Hanani, with the musical in- curse them: howbeit, our God turned the struments of David the, man of God, and curse into a blessing. Ezra the scribe before them.

37 And at the fountain-gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water-gate eastward.

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

4 T And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah : 38 And the other company of them that 5 And he had prepared for him a great gave thanks went over against them, and I chamber, where aforetime they laid the after them, and the half of the people upon meat-offerings, the frankincense, and the the wall, from beyond the tower of the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the furnaces even unto the broad wall; new wine, and the oil,(which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters,) and the offerings

39 And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish-gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and of the priests. the tower of Meah, even unto the sheepgate and they stood still in the prison-gate. 40 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:

41 And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;

42 And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their

Overseer.

6 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:

7 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.

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

9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed 43 Also that day they offered great sa- the chambers: and thither brought I again crifices, and rejoiced: for God had made the vessels of the house of God, with the them rejoice with great joy: the wives meat-offering and the frankincense. also and the children rejoiced: so that the 10 T And I perceived that the portions joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. of the Levites had not been given them: 44 And as that time were some ap- for the Levites and the singers, that did pointed over ti chambers for the trea- the work, were fled every one to his field. sures, for the offerings, for the first-fruits, 11 Then contended I with the rulers, and for the tithes, to gather into them out and said, Why is the house of God forof the fields of the cities the portions of saken? And I gathered them together, and the law for the priests and Levites: for set them in their place.

Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the 12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil

Levites that waited.

45 And both the singers and the porters unto the treasuries. kept the ward of their God, and the ward 13 And I made treasurers over the treaof the purification, according to the com-suries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the mandment of David,and of Solomon his son. scribe; and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and 46 For in the days of David and Asaph next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, of old there were chief of the singers, and, the son of Mattaniah: for they were countsongs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. ed faithful; and their office was to distribute 47 And all Israel in the days of Zerub-junto their brethren.

Abuses reformed by Nehemiah.

ESTHER. Ahasuerus makes royal feasts.

14 Remember me, O my God, concern-they should cleanse themselves, and that ing this, and wipe not out my good deeds they should come and keep the gates, to that I have done for the house of my God, sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, and for the offices thereof. O my God, concerning this also, and spare

15 In those days saw I in Judah some me according to the greatness of thy mercy. treading wine-presses on the sabbath, and 23 In those days also saw I Jews that bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, also wine, grapes, and figs, and all man- and of Moab:

ner of burdens, which they brought into 24 And their children spake half in the Jerusalem on the sabbath day and I tes-speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in tified against them in the day wherein they the Jews' language, but according to the sold victuals. language of each people.

16 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.

25 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 17 Then I contended with the nobles your daughters unto their sons, nor take of Judah, and said unto them, What evil their daughters unto your sons, or for yourthing is this that ye do, and profane the selves. sabbath day?

26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin 18 Did not your fathers thus, and did by these things? yet among many nations not our God bring all this evil upon us, was there no king like him, who was beand upon this city? yet ye bring more loved of his God, and God made him king wrath upon Israel by profaning the sab-over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.

bath.

19 And it came to pass, that, when the 27 Shall we then hearken unto you to gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before do all this great evil, to transgress against the sabbath, I commanded that the gates our God in marrying strange wives? should be shut, and charged that they 28 And one of the sons of Joiada, the should not be opened till after the sabbath: son of Eliashib the high priest, was sonand some of my servants set I at the gates, in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. therethat there should no burden be brought in fore I chased him from me.

29 Remember them, O my God, be

on the sabbath day. 20 So the merchants and sellers of all cause they have defiled the priesthood, kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem and the covenant of the priesthood, and once or twice. of the Levites.

21 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.

22 And I commanded the Levites, that

NOW

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

31 And for the wood-offering, at times appointed, and for the first-fruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

1 The Book of ESTHER.

CHAP. I.

the king made a feast unto all the people TOW it came to pass in the days of that were present in Shushan the palace, Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which both unto great and small, seven days, in reigned from India even unto Ethiopia, the court of the garden of the king's palace; over a hundred and seven and twenty 6 Where were white, green, and blue provinces :) hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen

2 That in those days, when the king and purple to silver rings and pillars of Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his king-marble: the beds were of gold and silver, dom, which was in Shushan the palace, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and 3 In the third year of his reign, he made white, and black marble.

a feast unto all his princes and his ser- 7 And they gave them drink in vessels vants; the power of Persia and Media, the of gold, (the vessels being diverse one nobles and princes of the provinces, being from another,) and royal wine in abunbefore him: dance, according to the state of the king. 8 And the drinking was according to

4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his the law; none did compel: for so the excellent majesty many days, even a king had appointed to all the officers of his hundred and fourscore days. house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.

5 And when these days were expired,

Vashti's disobedience.

CHAP. II.

A queen to be chosen. 9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast 22 For he sent letters into all the king's for the women in the royal house which provinces, into every province according belonged to king Ahasuerus. to the writing thereof, and to every people

10 T On the seventh day, when the after their language, that every man should heart of the king was merry with wine, he bear rule in his own house; and that it commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, should be published according to the lan Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, guage of every people. the seven chamberlains that served in thei presence of Ahasuerus the king,

CHAP. II.

11 To bring Vashti the queen before AFTER these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he the king with the crown royal, to shew the remembered Vashti, and what she had people and the princes her beauty for done, and what was decreed against her. she was fair to look on. 2 Then said the king's servants that

12 But the queen Vashti refused to ministered unto him, Let there be fair come at the king's commandment by his young virgins sought for the king: chamberlains: therefore was the king very 3 And let the king appoint officers in all wroth, and his anger burned in him. the provinces of his kingdom, that they 13 Then the king said to the wise may gather together all the fair young virmen, which knew the times, (for so was gins unto Shushan the palace, to the house the king's manner toward all that knew of the women, unto the custody of Hege law and judgment: the king's chamberlain, keeper of the

14 And the next unto him was Carshena, women; and let their things for purificaShethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Mar- tion be given them:

sena, and Memucan, the seven princes of 4 And let the maiden which pleaseth Persia and Media, which saw the king's the king be queen instead of Vashti. And face, and which sat the first in the king- the thing pleased the king; and he did so. dom,) 5 ¶ Now in Shushan the palace there

15 What shall we do unto the queen was a certain Jew, whose name was MorVashti according to law, because she decai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, hath not performed the commandment of the son of Kish, a Benjamite; the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? 6 Who had been carried away from

16 And Memucan answered before the Jerusalem with the captivity which had king and the princes, Vashti the queen been carried away with Jeconiah king of hath not done wrong to the king only, but Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of also to all the princes, and to all the people Babylon had carried away. that are in all the provinces of the king 7 And he brought up Hadassah, (that is, Ahasuerus. Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had 17 For this deed of the queen shall neither father nor mother, and the maid come abroad unto all women, so that they was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when her father and mother were dead, when it shall be reported, The king took for his own daughter.

not.

Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen 8 So it came to pass, when the king's to be brought in before him, but she came commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered 18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia together unto Shushan the palace, to the and Media say this day unto all the king's custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought princes, which have heard of the deed of also unto the king's house, to the custody the queen. Thus shall there arise too of Hegai, keeper of the women. much contempt and wrath. 9 And the maiden pleased him, and she 19 If it please the king,. let there go a obtained kindness of him; and he speedily royal commandment from him, and let it gave her her things for purification, with be written among the laws of the Persians such things as belonged to her, and seven and the Medes, that it be not altered, maidens which were meet to be given her, That Vashti come no more before king out of the king's house: and he preferred Ahasuerus; and let the king give her her and her maids unto the best place of royal estate unto another that is better the house of the women.

than she.

10 Esther had not shewed her people

20 And when the king's decree which norher kindred: for Mordecai had charged he shall make shall be published through-her that she should not shew it. out all his empire, (for it is great,) all the 11 And Mordecai walked every day wives shall give to their husbands honour, before the court of the women's house, to both to great and small. know how Esther did, and what should become of her.

21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

12 Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that

Esther is chosen queen.

ESTHER.

Haman advanced by the king.

she had been twelve months, according to medatha the Agagite, and advanced him, the manner of the women, (for so were the and set his seat above all the princes that days of their purifications accomplished, were with him. to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six 2 And all the king's servants that were months with sweet odours, and with other in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced things for the purifying of the women;) Haman; for the king had so commanded 13 Then thus came every maiden unto concerning him. But Mordecai bowed the king; whatsoever she desired was not, nor did him reverence. given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's house.

14 In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king's chamberlain, which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.

3 Then the king's servants which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment?

4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

15 Now when the turn of Esther, the 5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, bowed not, nor did him reverence, then who had taken her for his daughter, was was Haman full of wrath. come to go in unto the king, she required 6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on nothing but what Hegai the king's cham- Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him berlain, the keeper of the women, ap- the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman pointed. And Esther obtained favour in sought to destroy all the Jews that were the sight of all them that looked upon her. throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasue16 So Esther was taken unto king Aha- rus, even the people of Mordecai. suerus into his house-royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.

7 In the first month (that is, the month Nisan,) in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before 17 And the king loved Esther above all Haman from day to day, and from month the women, and she obtained grace and to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the favour in his sight more than all the vir- month Adar.

gins; so that he set the royal crown upon 8 And Haman said unto king Ahasueher head, and made her queen instead of rus, There is a certain people scattered Vashti. abroad and dispersed among the people in 18 Then the king made a great feast all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their unto all his princes and his servants, even laws are diverse from all people; neither Esther's feast; and he made a release to keep they the king's laws: therefore it is the provinces, and gave gifts, according to not for the king's profit to suffer them. the state of the king.

9 If it please the king, let it be written 19 And when the virgins were gathered that they may be destroyed: and I will together the second time, then Mordecai pay ten thousand talents of silver to the sat in the king's gate. hands of those that have the charge of the 20 Esther had not yet shewed her kin- business, to bring it into the king's treadred, nor her people, as Mordecai had suries.

charged her: for Esther did the command- 10 And the king took his ring from his ment of Mordecai, like as when she was hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of brought up with him. Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews'

21 In those days, while Mordecai sat enemy. in the king's gate, two of the king's cham- 11 And the king said unto Haman, The berlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those silver is given to thee, the people also, to which kept the door, were wroth, and do with them as it seemeth good to thee. sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 12 Then were the king's scribes called 22 And the thing was known to Morde-on the thirteenth day of the first month, and cai, who told it unto Esther the queen; there was written according to all that and Esther certified the king thereof in Haman had commanded unto the king's Mordecai's name. lieutenants, and to the governors that were 23 And when inquisition was made of over every province, and to the rulers of the matter, it was found out; therefore every people of every province, according they were both hanged on a tree: and it to the writing thereof, and to every people was written in the book of the Chronicles after their language; in the name of king before the king. Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

CHAP. III.

FTER these things did king Ahasue- 13 And the letters were sent by posts rus promote Haman the son of Ham-into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to

The banquet of Esther. kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that young and old, little children and women, he may live: but I have not been called to in one day, even upon the thirteenth day come in unto the king these thirty days. 12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. words. 14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.

Mordecai and the Jews mourn. CHAP. IV, V.

13 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.

14 For if thou altogether holdest thy 15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the de- peace at this time, then shall there enlargecree was given in Shushan the palace. And ment and deliverance arise to the Jews the king and Haman sat down to drink; from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who but the city Shushan was perplexed. knoweth, whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

CHAP. IV.

W was done, Mordecairent his clothes,

HEN Mordecai perceived all that

W

and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;

2 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,

16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night orday: I also and my maidens will fast likewise and so will I go in unto the king, 3 And in every province whithersoever which is not according to the law; and if the king's commandment and his decree perish, I perish. 17 So Mordecai went his way, and did came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wail- according to all that Esther had commanding; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. ed him. 4 So Esther's maids and her chamber

CHAP. V.

TOW came to pass on the third day,

lains came and told it her. Then was the Now itsther put on her royal apparel

queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take and stood in the inner, court of the king's away his sackcloth from him: but he re-house, over against the king's house: and ceived it not.

the king sat upon his royal throne in the

5 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of royal house, over against the gate of the house. apthe king's chamberlains, whom he had pointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was.

6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai, unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate.

And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew and touched the top of the sceptre. 3 Then said the king unto her, What 7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy money that Haman had promised to pay to request? it shall be even given thee to the the king's treasuries for the Jews, to de- half of the kingdom. stroy them.

near,

4 And Esther answered, If it seem good 8 Also he gave him the copy of the writ-unto the king, let the king and Haman ing of the decree that was given at Shushan come this day unto the banquet that I have to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, prepared for him. 5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath make supplication unto him, and to make said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. request before him for her people.

9 And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.

6 ¶ And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and it shall be granted thee: and what is and gave him commandment unto Mor- thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed. decai;

10

7 Then answered Esther, and said, My 11 All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that petition and my request is: 8 If I have found favour in the sight of whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, the king, and if it please the king to grant who is not called, there is one law of his to my petition, and to perform my request, let put him to death, except such to whom the the king and Haman come to the banquet

411