Nehemiah appointesh a watch. Chap. v. 2 And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and faid, What do these fee. ble jews? Will they fortify themselves? Will they facrifice? Will they make an end in a day! Will they revive the flones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned! 3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he faid, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he fhall even break down their ftone wall. 4 Hear, O our God; for we are defpifed: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity: And cover not their iniquity, and let not their fin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders. 6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. 7 But it came to pass, that when Sanballar, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerufalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, 8 And confpired all of them together, to come and to fight against Jerufalem, and to hinder it. 9 Nevertheless, we made our prayer unto our God, and fet a watch against them day and night, because of them. To And Julah faid, The ftrength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; fo that we are not able to build the wall. 11 And our adverfaries faid, They fhall not know, neither fee, till we come in the midft among them, and flay them, and caufe the work to cease. 12 And it came to pafs, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they faid unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you. 13 Therefore fet I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even fet the people after their families with their fwords, their fpears, and their bows. 14 And I looked, and rofe up, and faid unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the reit of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your fons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. 15 And it came to pafs, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. 16 And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my fervants wrought in the work, and the other half or them held both the fpears, the thiel is, and the bows, and the habergeons: and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. 17 They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with thofe that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other band held a wear. 18 For the builders, every one had his fword girded by his fide, and fo builded: and he that founded the trumpet was by me. 19¶ And I faid unto the nobles, and to the He reformeth ufury. rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are feparated upon the wall, one far from another. 20 In what place therefore ye hear the found of the trumpet, refort ye thither unto us: our God thall fight for us. 21 So we laboured in the work and half of them held the fpears from the rifing of the morning till the itars appeared. 22 Likewife at the fame time, faid I unto the people, Let every one with his fervant lodge within Jerufalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day. ́ 23 So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my fervants, nor the men of the guard which rol. lowed me, none of us put off our clothes, fou ing that every one put them off for wathing. CHAP. V The Fews complain of their debt, mortgage, and bondage. in Nehemiah caufeth rejiitu tion: 14 be forbeareth his own allowance, and keepeth bofpitality. AND there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. 2 For there were that faid, We, our fons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat and live. 3 Some also there were that faid, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the earth. 4 There were also that faid, We have bor. rowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards. 5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our bre thren, our children as their children and lo, we bring into bondage our fons and our daugh. ters to be fervants, and fame of our daughters are brought into bondage already: neither it it in our power to redeem them; for other mea have our lands and vineyards. 6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry, and these words. 7 Then I confulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and faid unto them, Ye exact ufury, every one of his bro ther. And I fet a great affembly against them; 8 And I faid unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were fold unto the heathen; and will ye even fell your brethren? or fhall they be fold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. 9 Alfo I faid, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, becaufe of the reproach of the heathen our ene. mies? 10 I likewife, and my brethren, and my fervants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you let us leave of this ufury. 11 Reftore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houfes, alfo the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. 12 Then faid they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; fo will w de as thou ayeft. Then I caile the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should đó according to this promife. 13 Allo I fhook my lap, and faid, So God thake out every mea from his houfe, and from his labour, that performeth not this pro mife, even thus be he baken out and emptie Sanbalat's evil prafices. NEHEMIAH. Nehemiah's care of Ferufalem. And all the congregation faid, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promife. 14. 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. 15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beide forty hekels of filver: yea, even their fervants bare rule over the people: but fo did not 1, be caufe of the fear of God. 16 Yea, alfo I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work. 17 Moreover, there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beGides thofe that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us. 18 Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and fix choice fheep; alfo fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days tore of all forts of wine: yet for all this required not 1 the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people. 19 Think upon me, my God, for good, ac cording to all that I have done for this people. CHAP. VI. 1 Sanballat praflifeth to terrify Nehemiah. 15 The work is finished. 17 Secret intelligence between the enemies and the nobles of Judab. 10 Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the fon of Delaiah the fon of Mehetabeel, who was inut up; and he faid, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us fhut the doors of the temple: for they will come to flay thee; yea, in the night will they come to flay thee. II And I faid, Should fuch a man as I fleet and who is there, tha, being as I am, would go into the temple to fave his life? I will not go in. 12 And, lo, I perceived that God had not fent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and fin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me. 14 My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to there their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the teft of the proprets, that would have put me in fear. 15 So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. 16 And it came to pafs, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us faw these things, they were much caft down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God. 17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah fent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them. 18 For there were many in Judah (worn Now it came to pafs, when Sanballat, and unto him, because he was the fon-in-law of Tobiah, and Gefhem the Arabian, and the reit 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 fet up the doors upon the gates;) 2 That Sanhallat and Gefhem fent unto me, faying, Come, let us meet together in fome one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mifchief. 3 And I fent meffengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, fo that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilft I leave it, and come down to you? 4 Yet they fent unto me four times after his fort; and I answered them after the fame man ner. 5 Then fent Sanballat his fervant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand; Wherein was written, It is reported a. Tng the heathen, and Gafhmu faith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which caufe thou buildert the wall, that thou maycft be their king, according to these words. And thou haft alfo appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerufalem, faying, here is a king in Judah and now thall it be reported to the king according to thele words. Come now, therefore, and let us take counfel toge ther. 8 Then 1 fent unto him, faying, There are no fuch things done as thou faycit, but thou feigneftthem out of tuge own heart. 9 For they all made us afraid, faying, Their hands thall be weakene from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, Agengthen my hands. Shechaniah the fon of Arah; and his fon Joha nan had taken the daughter of Mehullam the fon of Berechiah. 19 Alfo they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And To biah fent letters to put me in fear. CHA P. VII. 1 Nehemiah committeth the charge of Ferufa lem to Hanani and Hananiab. 5 A regifler of the genealogy of them which came at the frf out of Babylon, 8 of the people, 39 of the priefs, 43 of the Levites, 46 of the Nethi nimis, &c. TOW Now it came to pars, when the wall was built, and I had fet up the doors, and the porters, and the fingers and the Levites were appointed, 2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Haraniah the ruler of the palace, charge over Je rufalem; for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. 3 And I faid unto them, Let not the gates of Jerufalem be opened until the fun be hot : and while they ftand by, let them thut the doors, and bar them; and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerufalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his houfe. 1 4 Now the city was large and great but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded. 5And my God put into mine bear ga ther together the nobles, and the rines, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the g nealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein, The regifler of those Chap. vii. 6 These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of thofe that had been carried away, whom Nebuchad nezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Jujah, every one unto his city; 7 Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilhan, Mifpere.h, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah; the number, Ifay, of the men of the people of Ifrael, was this; 8 The children of Paroth, two thousand an hundred seventy and two. 9 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred feventy and two. 10 The children of Arah, fix hundred fifty and two. 11 The children of Pahath-moab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thoufand and eight hundred and eighteen. 12 The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. 13. The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five. 14 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred and threefcore. 15 The children of Binnui, fix hundred forty and eight. 16 The children of Bebai, six hundred twen. ty and eight. 17 The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two. 18 The children of Adonikam, fix hundred threescore and seven. 19 The children of Bigvai, two thousand threefcore and seven. 20 The children of Adin, fix hundred fifty and five. 21 The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight. 22 The children of Hafhum, three hundred twenty and eight. 23 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four. 24 The children of Hatiph, an hundred and twelve. 25 The children of Gibeon, ninety and five. 26 The men of Beth-lehem and Netophah, an hundred fourfcore and eight. that returned from Babylan. 40 The children of Immer, a thousand fifty and two. 41 The children of Pafhu, a thousand two hundred forty and feven. 42 The children of Harim, a thousand and feventeen. 43 The Levites: the children of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, and of the children of Hodevah, feverty and four. 44 The fingers: the children of Afaph, an hundred forty and eight. 45 The porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, an hundred thirty and eight. 46 The Nethinims: the children of 7iha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tab baoth, 47 The children of Keros, the children of Sia, the children of Padon, 48 The children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Shalmai, 49 The children of Hanan, the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, so The children of Reaiah, the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, 51 The children of Gazzam, the children of Uzza, the children of Phafeah, 52 The children of Befai, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephithefim, 53 The children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur, 54 The children of Bazlith, the children of Mehida, the children of Hartha, 55 The children of Barkos, the children of Sifera, the children of Tamah, 56 The children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha. 57 The children of Solomon's fervants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida, 58 The children of Jaala, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel, 59 The children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth of Zebaim, the children of Amon. 60 All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's fervants, were three hundred nine 27 The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and two. ty and eight. 28 The men of Beth-azmaveth, forty and 61 And thefe were they which went up all from Tel-melah, Tel-haretha, Cherub Addon, and Immer: but they could not thew their father's houfe, nor their feed, whether they suere of Ifrael. 62 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, fix hundred forty and two. 63 And of the priefts: the children of Ha baiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name. 64 Thefe fought their regifter among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. 65 And the Tirthatha faid unto them, that they thould not eat of the niot holy things, till there ftood up a priest with Úrim and Thummim. 66 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threefcore, 67 Befies their manfervants and their P 3 maids The religious manner of NEHEMIAH. maidfervants, of whom there were feven thou. fand three hundred thirty and fever: and they Dad two hundred forty and five finging men and tinging women. 68 Their horfes, feven hundred thirty and fix: their mules, two hundred forty and five. 69 Their camels, four hundred thirty and five: fix thousand seven hundred and twenty affes. 70 And fome of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirthatha gave to The treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty hafons, five hundred and thirty priests' gar ments. 71 And fome of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thou fand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pounds of filver. 72 And that which the reft of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pounds of filver, and threescore and feven priests' garments. 73 So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters,and the fingers, and fome of the people, and the Nethinims, and all Ifrael, dwelt in their cities; and when the feventh month came, the children of Ifrael were in their The religious manner of reading and bearing the law. AND all the people gathered themselves to. gether as one man into the fireet that seas before the water gate; and they fpake unto Ezra the fcribe to bring the book of the law of Moles, which the LORD had commanded to Ifrael. 2 And Ezra the priest brought the law be fore the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with underftanding, upon the firth day of the feventh month. 3 And he read therein before the ftreet that qus before the water gate, from the morning until midday, betofe the men and the women, and thofe hat could understand; and the cars of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law. 4 And Ezra the fcribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpofe; and befide him food Mattithiali, and Shema, and Audiah, and Urijan, and Hilkiah, and Maakerah, on his right hand; and on his lett land, Pedaiah, and Mihael, and Malchiah, and Haflium, and Hafhbadana, Zechariah, and Methullam. And Ezra opened the book in the fight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people itood up: 6 Ard Ezra blefled the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, amen, with lifting up their hands: and they boweltheir heads, and worthipped the LORD with their faces to the ground." 7 Alto Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maafeiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, PeTarah, and the Levices, caufed the people to underftand the law: and the people find in their place. 8 So they read in the book in the law of God diftinctly, and gave the fenfe, and caufed them to understand the reading. 9And Nehemiah, which is the Tirtha. reading and bearing the law. tha, and Ezra the prieft the icribe, and the Levites that taught the people, faid unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn iot nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. 10 Then he faid unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the fweet, and fend por. tions unto item for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye forry; for the joy of the LORD is your ftrength. 11 So the Levites ftilled all the people, faying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. 12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to fend portions, and to make great mirth, because they had underflood the words that were declared unto them. 13 And on the fecond day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests and the Levites, unto Fzra the fcribe, even to understand the words of the law. 14 And they found written in the law, which the LORD hard commanded by Mofes, that the children of Ifrael fhould dwell in booths in the feast of the feventh month: 15 And that they fhould publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerufalem, faying Go forth into the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myr. tle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written. 16 So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the root of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the houfe of God, and in the street of the water gate, and the street of the gate of Ephraim. 17 And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and fat under the booths; tor fince the days of Jethua the fon of Nun unto that day had not the children of Ifrael done fo. And there was very great gladnefs. 18 Alfo day by day, from the firft day unto the lart day, he read in the book of the law of God: and they kept the feast feven days, and on the eighth day was a folemn affembly, according unto the manner. CHAP. IX. A folemn faft, and repentance of the people. 4 The Levites confejs God's goodness, and their own wickedness. Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Ifrael were anem. bied with fafting, and with fackcloth, and earth upon them. 2 And the seed of Ifrael feparated themfelves from all trangers, and itood and conteffed their fins, and the iniquities of their fathers. 3 And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confeffed, and worshipped the LORD their Cod. 4 Then ftood up upon the ftairs, of the Levites, Jethua, and Bani, Kadmuel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebian, Bani, and Chenani, and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD their God. The Levites make confession of God's goodness, c 20 Thou gavest alfo thy good Spirit to in. ftruct them, and withheldeft not thy manna from their mouth, and gavert them water for their thirit. Chap. ix. 5 Then the Levites, Jeshua and Kadmiel, Bani, Hatbabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, fail, Stand up aniblefs the LORD your God for ever and ever: ani bleffed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all bleffing and praife. 6 Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou haft made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their hoft, the earth, and all things that ar therein, the feas, and all that is therein, and thou preferveft them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee. 7 Thou art the LORD the God, who didft choose Abram, and broughteft him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gaveft him the name of Abraham; 8 And fundet his heart faithful before thee, and ma left a covenant with him, to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the jebufites, and the Girgafhites, to give it, I fay, to his feed, and haft performed thy words; for thou art righteous: 9 And didft fee the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and hear left their cry by the Red fea; To And theweift figns and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his fervants, and on all the people of his land; for thou kneweit that they dealt proudly against them. So didft thou get thee a name, as it is this day. 11 And thou didft divide the fea before them, fo that they went through the midst of the fea on the dry land: and their perfecutors thou threweft into the deeps, as a itone into the mighty waters. 12 Moreover, thou le left them in the day by a cloudy pillar, and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go. 13 Thou camet down alfoupon mount Sinai, and fpakeft with them from heaven, and gaveft them right judgments, and true laws, good ftatutes and commandments: 14. And madeft krown unto them thy holy fabbath, and commandedit them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the Land of Mofes thy fervant: 16 But they and our fathers dealt prolly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments, 17 And refused to obey, neither were mind. ful of thy wonders that thou didit 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, flow to anger, and of great kindness, and forfookett them not. 18 Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and faid, 'This is thy god that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations; 19 Yet thou, in thy manifold mercies, forfookeft them not in the wildernefs: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to thew them light, and the way wherein they thould go. 21 Yea, forty years didft thou fuftain them in the wilderness, fo that they lacked nothing their clothes waxed not old, and their fect fwelled not. 22 Moreover, thou gavest them kingdoms and nations, and didit divide them into corners: fo they poffefed the land of Sihon, and the land of the king of Hethbon, and the land of Og king of Bathan. 23 Their children alfo multipliedft thou as the ftars of heaven, and broughteft them into the land, concerning which thou hadit promised to their fathers, that they fhould go in to poffefs it. 24 So the children went in and poffeted the land, and thou fubduedft before them the inha bitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gaveft them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they migh, do with them as they would. 25 And they took trong cities, and a fat land, and poffeffed houfes full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: fo they did eat and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themfelves in thy great goodness, 26 Nevertheless, they were difobedient,and rebelled against thee, and caft thy law behind their backs, and flew thy prophets, which teftised against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations. 27 Therefore thou delivered them into the hand or their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardelt them from heaven; and according to thy manitold mercies thou gaveit them faviours, who faved them out of the hand of their enemies. 28 But after they had reft, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the hand of their enemies, fo that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardeft them from heaven, and many times di lit thou deliver them, according to thy mercies; 20 And teftifiedst against them that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law; yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not untothy commandments, but finred against thy juigments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them,) and withdrew the thoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear: 35 Yet many years didft thou forbear them, and testined against them by thy Spirit in thy prophets; yet would they not give ear: there. fore gaveit thou them into the hand of the people of the hinds. 31 Neverthelefs, for thy great mercies'fake thou dit not utterly confure them, nor forfake them; for thou art a gracious and merciful God. 32 Now therefore, our God, the great. the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepert covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble feem little before thee that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our pricits, and on our prophets, and on our lathers, and on all thy people, fince the time of the kings of Allyria unto this day. P 4 33 How beit, |