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Nachamyahu 13

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13:1

The Final Purification of the Coordinate and the Priesthood

On that day they read in the book of Mushah in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Amonite and the Moabite should not come into the qahal of Alahiym for ever;
13:2
Because they met not the children of Yashar'al with bread and with water, but hired Bil'am against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our Alahiym turned the curse into a blessing.
13:3
Now it came to pass, when they had heard the Turah, that they separated from Yashar'al all the mixed multitude.
13:4

The Infiltration of Tobyahu

And before this, Elyashiyb the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our Alahiym, was allied unto Tobyahu:
13:5
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 Lawiytes, and the singers, and the gatekeepers; and the offerings of the priests.
13:6

The Absence of the Tirshatha

But in all this time was not I at Yarushalayim: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artachshasta king of Babal came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:
13:7

The Expulsion of Tobyahu

And I came to Yarushalayim, and understood of the evil that Elyashiyb did for Tobyahu, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of Alahiym.
13:8
And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobyahu out of the chamber.
13:9
Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of Alahiym, with the meat offering and the frankincense.
13:10

The Neglect of the Lawiytes

And I perceived that the portions of the Lawiytes had not been given them: for the Lawiytes and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.
13:11
Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of Alahiym forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
13:12

The Restoration of the Tithe

Then brought all Yahudah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
13:13

The Appointment of Faithful Treasurers

And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shalamyahu the priest, and Tzadok the scribe, and of the Lawiytes, Pedayahu: and next to them was Chanan the son of Zakuwr, the son of Mattanyahu: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
13:14
Remember me, O my Alahiym, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my Alahiym, and for the offices thereof.
13:15

The Profanation of the Sabbath

In those days saw I in Yahudah 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 Yarushalayim on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
13:16
There dwelt men of Tzor also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Yahudah, and in Yarushalayim.
13:17
Then I contended with the nobles of Yahudah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
13:18
Did not your fathers thus, and did not our Alahiym bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Yashar'al by profaning the sabbath.
13:19

The Securing of the Gates

And it came to pass, that when the gates of Yarushalayim 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.
13:20
So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Yarushalayim once or twice.
13:21
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.
13:22
And I commanded the Lawiytes that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my Alahiym, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
13:23

The Trespass of Foreign Marriages

In those days also saw I Yahudiym that had married wives of Ashdod, of Amon, and of Moab:
13:24
And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Yahudiym's language, but according to the language of each people.
13:25
And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by Alahiym, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.
13:26
Did not Shalumah king of Yashar'al sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his Alahiym, and Alahiym made him king over all Yashar'al: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.
13:27
Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our Alahiym in marrying strange wives?
13:28

The Cleansing of the Priesthood

And one of the sons of Yahuyada, the son of Elyashiyb the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.
13:29
Remember them, O my Alahiym, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Lawiytes.
13:30

The Final Restoration of the Order

Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Lawiytes, every one in his business;
13:31
And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my Alahiym, for good.