Who davell in Jerufalem. Chap. xii. the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's fervants. 4 And at Jerufalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the fon of Amariah, the fon of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez; 5 And Maafeiah the fon of Baruch, the fon of Col-hozeh, the fon of Hazaiah, the •fon of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the fon of Shiloni. 6 All the fons of Perez that dwelt at Jerufalem were four hundred threefcore and eight valiant men. 7 And thefe are the fons of Benjamin; Sallu the fon of Melhullam, the fon of Joed, the fon of Pedaiah, the fon of Kolaiah, the fon of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the fon of Jefaiah. 8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight. 9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their overfeer and Judah the fon of Senuah was fecond over the city. to Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin. II Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the fon of Meshullam, the fon of Zadok, the fon ..of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, as the ruler of the houfe of God. 12 And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the fon of Jeroham, the fon of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the fon of Zechariah, the fon of Pashur, the fon of Malchiah, 13 And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amafhai the fon of Azareel, the fon of Ahasai, the son of Mefhillemoth, the fon of Immer, 14 And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overfeer was Zabdiel, the fon of cne of the great men. 15 Alfo of the Levites: Shemaiah the fon of Hafhub, the son of Azrikam, the fon of Hafhabiah, the fon of Bunni; The inhabitants of the villages. 19 Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred feventy and two. 20 And the refidue of Ifrael, of the priefts, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance. 21 But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gifpa were over the Nethinims. 22 The overfeer alfo of the Levites at Jerufalem as Uzzi the fon of Bani, the son of Hafhabiah, the fon of Mattaniah, the fon of Micha. Of the fons of Afaph, the fingers were over the bufiness of the houfe of God. 23 For it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion fhould be for the fingers, due for every day. 24 And Pethaiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the fon of Judah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people. 25 And for the villages, with their fields, fome of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjath-arba,and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jakabzeel, and in the villages thereof, 25 And at Jefhua, and at Moladah, and at Beth-phelet, 27 And at Hazar-fhual, and at Beerfheba, and in the villages thereof, 28 And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof, 29 And at En-rimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth, 30 Zanoah, Adullam, and in their vil lages, at Lachith, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beer-fheba unto the valley of Hinnom. 31 The children also of Benjamin from Geba develt at Michmash, and Aija, and Beth-el, and in their villages, 32 And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, 33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, 34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, 35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftf men. 16 And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of 36 And of the Levites were divifiona the chief of the Levites, had the over-in Judah, and in Benjamin. fight of the outward bufinefs of the house of God. CHAP. XII. 1 The priests which came up with Zerubba17 And Mattaniah the fon of Micha, bel. 10 The fucceffion of the high priests. the fon of Zabdi, the son of Afaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving NOW these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubin prayer and Bakbukiah the fecond babel the fon of Shealtiel, and Jelhua : among his brethren, and Abda the son of Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Shaminua, the fon of Galal, the fon of Jeduthun. 18 All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four. 2 Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, 3 Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, 4 Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah, 5 Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, 6 Shemaiah, 6 Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah, 7 Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jefhua. The wall dedicated. nefs, both with thanksgivings, and with finging, with cymbals, pfàlteries, and with harps. 28 And the fons of the fingers gather 8 Moreover the Levites: Jefhua, Bin-ed themfelves together, both out of the nui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and plain country round about Jerusalem; Mattaniah, which was over the thankf- and from the villages of Netophathi; giving, he and his brethren. 9 Alfo Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches. 10 And Jefhua begat Joiakim, Joiakim alfo begat Eliafhib, and Eliashib begat Joiada, II And Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua. 12 And in the days of Joiakim were priefts, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; 13 Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; 14 Of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Jofeph; 15 Of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; 16 Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Mefhullam; 17 Of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin; of Moadiah, Piltai; 18 Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; 29 Alfo from the houfe of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the fingers had builded them villages round about Jerufalem. 30 And the priests and the Levites purified themfelves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall. 31 Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate: 32 And after them went Hofhaiah, and half of the princes of Judah, 33 And Azariah, Ezra, and Mefhullam, 34 Judah, and Ben-amin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah, 35 And certain of the priests' fons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the fon of Jonathan, the fon of Shemaiah, the fof of Mattaniah, the fon of Michaiah, the fon of Zaccur, the fon of Afaph: 36 And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Netha 19 And of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Je-neel, and Judah, Hanani, with the mufidaiah, Uzzi; cal inftruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the fcribe before them. 20 Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; 21 Of Hilkiah, Hafhabiah; of Jedaiah, 37 And at the fountain gate, which was Nethaneel. over against them, they went up by the 22 The Levites in the days of Elia-ftairs of the city of David, at the going fhib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, qwere recorded chief of the fathers: alfo the pricfts, to the reign of Darius the Perfian. up of the wall, above the house of David; even unto the water gate eastward. 38 And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and 23 The fons of Levi, the chief of the I after them, and the half of the people fathers, were written in the book of the upon the wall, from beyond the tower chronicles, even until the days of Joha-of the furnaces even unto the broad wall; nan the son of Eliathib. 39 And from above the gate of E24 And the chief of the Levites: Hafla- phraim, and above the old gate, and biah, Sherebiah, and Jefhua the fon of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praife and to give thanks, accord. ing to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward. 25 Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Mefhullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates. 26 Thefe were in the days of Joiakim the fon of Jeshua, the fon of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the fcribe. 27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerufalem they fought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerufalem, to keep the dedication with glad above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the fheep gate: and they stood still in the prifon gate. 40 So ftood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the houfe of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me: 41 And the priests; Eliakim, Maafeiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; 42 And Maafeiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the fingers fang loud, with Jezrahiah their overfeer. 43 Alfo that day they offered great facrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them Nehemiah returneth, Chap. xlii. them rejoice with great joy: the wives alfo and the children rejoiced: fo that the joy of Jerufalem was heard even afar off. 44 And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treafures, for the offerings, for the firftfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. 45 And both the fingers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his fon. 46 For in the days of David and Afaph of old there were chief of the fingers, and fongs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. 47 And all Ifrael in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the fingers and the porters, every day his portion and they fanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites fanctified them unto the children of Aaron. CHAP. XIII. Separation made from the mixed multitude. 4 Nehemiah's return and regulations. N that day they read in the book of Mofes in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite fhould not come into the congregation of God for ever; 2 Becaufe they met not the children of Ifrael with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curfe them: howbeit our God turned the curfe into a bleffing. 3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they feparated from Ifrael all the mixed multitude. 41 And before this, Eliafhib the prieft, having the overfight of the chamber of the houfe of our God, was allied unto Tobiah: s And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincenfe, 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 fingers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests. 6 But in all this time was not I at Jerufalem; 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: and removeth abuses. Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. And it grieved me fore: therefore Í caft forth all the houfhold stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. 9 Then I commanded, and they cleanfed the chambers: and thither brought I again the veffels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense. 10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the fingers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. II Then contended I with the rulers, and faid, Why is the houfe of God forfaken? And I gathered them together, and fet them in their place. 12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treafuries. 13 And I made treasurers over the treafuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the fcribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the fon of Zaccur, the fon of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to diftribute unto their brethren. 14 Remember me, O my God, con cerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the houfe of my God, and for the offices thereof. 15 In thofe days faw I in Judah fome treading wine prefles on the fabbath, and bringing in fheaves, and lading affes; as alfo wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerufalem on the fabbath day: and teftified against them in the day wherein they fold victuals. I 16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fifh, and all manner of ware, and fold on the fabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerufalem. 17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and faid unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the fabbath day? 18 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 Ifrael by profaning the fabbath. 19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerufalem began to be dark be fore the fabbath, I commanded that the gates fhould be fhut, and charged that they fhould not be opened till after the fabbath: and fome of my fervants fet I at the gates, that there fhould no burden be brought in on the fabbath day. 20 So the merchants and fellers of all 7 And I came to Jerufalem, and un-kind of ware lodged without Jerufalem derstood of the evil that Eliahib did for once or twice. 21 Then 21 Then I feftified against them, and faid unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do fo again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the fabbath. of Abafuerus. 26 Did not Solomon king of Ifracl fin 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 Ifrael: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to fin. 27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to tranfgrefs against our God in marrying ftrange wives? 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they fhould come and keep the gates, to fanctify the fabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this alfo, and spare me according to the greatnefs of thy mercy. 28 And one of the fons of Joiada, the 23 In thofe days alfo faw I Jews that fon of Eliashib the high priest, was son had married wives of Afhdod, of Am-in law to Sanballat the Horonite: theremon, and of Moab: fore I chafed him from me. · 1 Abafuerus maketh royal feafts. 10 Vahti's difobedience, 13 and punishment. Now it came to pals in the days of Ahafuerus, (this is Ahafuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and feven and twenty provinces :) 2 That in thofe days, when the king Ahafuerus fat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shufhan the palace, 3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feaft unto all his princes and his fervants; the power of Perfia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: 4 When he fhewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majefty many days, even an hundred and fourfcore days. 5 And when thefe days were expired, the king made a feaft unto all the people that were prefent in Shufhan the palace, both unto great and small, feven days, in the court of the garden of the king's palace; 6 Where were white, green, and blue, bangings faftened with cords of fine linen and purple to filver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and filver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. 7 And they gave them drink in veffels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from 29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. 30 Thus cleanfed 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 firftfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good. OF ESTHER. another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.. 8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for fo the king had appointed to all the officers of his houfe, that they fhould do according to every man's pleasure. 9 Alfo Vashti the queen made a feaft for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. 10 T. On the feventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine,. he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the feven chamberlains that ferved in the prefence of Ahafuerus the king, II To bring Vahti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for fhe was fair to look on. 12 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by bis chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. 13 Then the king faid to the wife men, which knew the times, (for fo was the king's manner toward all that knew law and Judgment: 14 And the next unto him quas Carthena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarfaith, Meres, Marfena, and Memucan, the feven princes of Perfia and Media, which faw the king's face, and which fat the first in the kingdom;) Is What A queen to be chofen. Chap. n. 16 And Memucan anfwered before the 17 For this deed of the queen fhall come abroad unto all women, fo that they fhall defpife their husbands in their eyes, when it fhall be reported, The king Ahafuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. 18 Likewife fhall the ladies of Perfia and Media fay this day unto all the king's princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus fhall there arife too much contempt and wrath. 19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Perfians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal eftate unto another that is better than the. 20 And when the king's decree which he thall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great) all the wives fhall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. 21 And the faying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: 22 For he fent letters into all the king's provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man fhould bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people. CHAP. II. Mordecai and Ether's affinity. 4 And let the maiden which pleaf eth the king be queen instead of Vahti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did fo. 5 Noau in Shufhan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name suas Mordecai, the fon of Jair, the fon of Shimei, the fon of Kifh, a Benjamite; 6 Who had been carried away from Jerufalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. 7 And he brought up Hadaffah, that is, Efther, his uncle's daughter: for the had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. 8 So it came to pafs, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shufhan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Efther was brought alfo unto the king's house, to the cuftody of Hegai, keeper of the women. 9 And the maiden pleafed him, and the obtained kindness of him; and he fpeedily gave her her things for purification, with fuch things as belonged to her, and feven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's houfe: and he preferred her and her maids unto the beft place of the house of the women. 10 Efther had not fhewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that the fhould not fhew it. 11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Efther did, and what fhould become of her. 12 Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahafuerus, after that the had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for fo were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, fix months with oil of myrrh, and fix months with I Out of the choice of virgins a queen is to of king Ahasuerus was appeafed, he the purifying of the women ;) 13 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatfoever the defired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king's houfe. 14 In the evening the went, and on the 3 And let the king appoint officers in morrow the returned into the fecond all the provinces of the kingdom, that houfe of the women, to the cuftody of they may gather together all the fair Shaafhgaz, the king's chamberlain, which young virgins unto Shufhan the palace, kept the concubines: fhe came in unto to the houfe of the women, unto the the king no more, except the king decuftody of Hege the king's chamberlain, lighted in her, and that the were called keeper of the women; and let their by name. things for purification be given them: 15 Now when the turn of Efther, the daughter |
