NAKHAMA’YAH 𐤍𐤇𐤌𐤉𐤄
NEHEMIAH
CHAPTER 1
1 The words of Nakhama'Yah son of Khakal'Yah. And it came to be in the month of fatness*, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,
*See Note On Zech 7:1
2 that Khanan'ya, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Yahudah; and I asked them concerning the Yahud'ym who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Yaru'shalam.
3 They said to me, "The remnant who are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach. The wall of Yaru'shalam also is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire."
4 And it came to be, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the ALUAH of shama'ym,
5 and said, "I beg you, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), the ALUAH of shama'ym, the great and awesome AL, who keeps Bar’yath (covenant) and loving kindness with those who love Him and keep His commandments:
6 Let Your ear now be attentive, and Your eyes open, that You may listen to the prayer of Your servant, which I pray before You at this time, day and night, for the children of Yashar'AL Your servants while I confess the iniquities of the children of Yashar'AL, which we have sinned against You. Yes, I and my father's house have transgressed.
7 We have dealt very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances, which You commanded your servant Mashah.
8 "Remember, I beg you, the Word that You commanded Your servant Mashah, saying, 'If you trespass, I will scatter you abroad among the peoples;
9 but if you return to me, and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the shama'ym, yet will I gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause MY NAME to dwell there.'
10 "Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand.
11 Please, Sovereign, I beg You, let Your ear be attentive now to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants, who delight to fear Your Name; and please prosper Your servant this day, and grant him compassion in the sight of this man." Now I was cup bearer to the king.
CHAPTER 2
1 And it came to be in the month first fruits,* in the twentieth year of Ar'thakh'shash'tha the king, when wine was before him, that I took up the wine, and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his dwelling.
*See Note On Hadassah 3:7
2 The king said to me, "Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing else but sorrow of heart." Then I was very much afraid.
3 I said to the king, "Let the king dwell forever! Why shouldn't my face be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' tombs, lies waste, and its gates have been consumed with fire?"
4 Then the king said to me, "For what do you make request?" So I prayed to the ALUAH of the shama'ym.
5 I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you would send me to Yahudah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may build it."
6 The king said to me, and the sovereigness was also sitting by him, "For how long shall your journey be? And when will you return?" So it pleased the king to send me; and I gave him a time.
7 Moreover I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Yahudah;
8 and a letter to Asap the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the Hayakal, for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into." The king granted my requests, because of the good hand of my ALUAH on me.
9 Then I came to the governors beyond the River, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent with me captains of the army and horsemen.
10 When San'balat the Kharan'ya, and Tuba'Yah the servant, the Aman'ya, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, because a man had come to seek the welfare of the children of Yashar'AL.
11 So I came to Yaru'shalam, and was there three days.
12 I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my ALUAH put into my heart to do for Yaru'shalam; neither was there any animal with me, except the animal that I rode on.
13 I went out by night by the valley gate, even toward the jackal's well, and to the dung gate, and viewed the walls of Yaru'shalam, which were broken down, and its gates were consumed with fire.
14 Then I went on to the fountain gate and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the animal that was under me to pass.
15 Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall; and I turned back, and entered by the valley gate, and so returned.
16 The rulers didn't know where I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Yahud'ym, nor to the ka'ahn'ym (priests), nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest who did the work.
17 Then I said to them, "You see the evil case that we are in, how Yaru'shalam lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come, let us build up the wall of Yaru'shalam, that we won't be shamed."
18 I told them of the hand of my ALUAH which was good on me, as also of the king's words that he had spoken to me. They said, "Let's rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work.
19 But when San'balat the Kharan'ya, and Tuba'Yah the servant, the Aman'ya, and Gasham the Arab'ya, heard it, they ridiculed us, and despised us, and said, "What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?"
20 Then answered I them, and said to them, "The ALUAH of shama'ym will prosper us. Therefore we, his servants, will arise and build; but you have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Yaru'shalam."
CHAPTER 3
1 Then AL'yash'yab the high ka’ahn (priest) rose up with his brothers the ka'ahn'ym (priests), and they built the sheep gate; they made it apart, and placed up its doors; even to the tower of Hammeah they made it apart, to the tower of Khanan'AL.
2 Next to him built the men of Yarakhu. Next to them built Zakur son of Amara'ya.
3 The fish gate did the sons of Sana’ah build; they laid its beams, and placed up its doors, its bolts, and its bars.
4 Next to them repaired Mara'muth son of Aura'Yah, son of Quts. Next to them repaired Ma'Shalam son of Barak’Yah, son of Mash'yazab'AL. Next to them repaired Tsaduq son of Ba'na.
5 Next to them the Thaqua'ym repaired; but their nobles didn't put their necks to the work of their sovereign.
6 The old gate repaired Yahu'Yada son of Pasakh and Ma'Shalam son of Basuda'Yah; they laid its beams, and placed up its doors, and its bolts, and its bars.
7 Next to them repaired Malat'Yah the Gabana’ya, and Yadun (Ya’doon) the Maran'tha'ya, the men of Gaba'un, and of Matsa'pah, to the throne of the governor beyond the River.
8 Next to him repaired Aza’y’AL son of Kharah'Yah, goldsmiths. Next to him repaired Khanan'Yah one of the perfumers, and they fortified Yaru'shalam even to the broad wall.
9 Next to them repaired Rap'Yah son of Khur, the ruler of half the district of Yaru'shalam.
10 Next to them repaired Yada'Yah son of Kharump (Kha’room’p), over against his house. Next to him repaired Khat'ush son of Kha'shaban'Yah.
11 Malak'Yah son of Kharam, and Kha'shub (Kha’shoob) son of Pakhath'mu'ab, repaired another portion, and the tower of the furnaces.
12 Next to him repaired Shalum son of Ha'Lukhash (Ha’Loo’khash), the ruler of half the district of Yaru'shalam, he and his daughters.
13 The valley gate repaired Khanun (Kha’noon), and the inhabitants of Zanukh (Zanookh); they built it, and placed up its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and one thousand cubits of the wall to the dung gate.
14 The dung gate repaired Malak'Yah son of Rakab, the ruler of the district of Bayath Ha'Karam; he built it, and placed up its doors, its bolts, and its bars.
15 The fountain gate repaired Shalun (Sha’loon) son of Kal'Khazah, the ruler of the district of Matsa'pah; he built it, and covered it, and made up its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and the wall of the pool of Shalakh by the king's garden, even to the stairs that go down from the city of Dau'yad.
16 After him repaired Nakhama'Yah son of Azbuq (Az’booq), the ruler of half the district of Bayath Tsur*, to the place over against the tombs of Dau'yad, and to the pool that was made, and to the house of the mighty men.
*Bayath Tsur means House of Rock, or House of Fortress
17 After him repaired the Lu'ym, Rakhum son of Ban'ya. Next to him repaired Khashab'Yah, the ruler of half the district of Qa'yalah, for his district.
18 After him repaired their brothers, Bu'ya (Boo’ya) son of Khana'dad, the ruler of half the district of Qa'yalah.
19 Next to him repaired Azar son of Yashua, the ruler of Matsa'pah, another portion, over against the ascent to the armory at the corner.
20 After him Baruk son of Zaba'ya earnestly repaired another portion, from the buttress to the door of the house of AL'yash'yab the high ka’ahn (priest).
21 After him repaired Mara'muth son of Aura'Yah son of Quts another portion, from the door of the house of AL'yash'yab even to the end of the house of AL'yash'yab.
22 After him repaired the ka'ahn'ym (priests), the men of the Plain.
23 After them repaired Ban'yama'yan and Kha'shub over against their house. After them repaired Azar'Yah son of Ma’asha’Yah son of Anan'Yah beside his own house.
24 After him repaired Banu'ya son of Khana'dad another portion, from the house of Azar'Yah to the angle, and to the corner.
25 Palal son of A’uz’ya (A’ooz’ya) [repaired] over against the corner, and the tower that stands out from the upper house of the king, which is by the court of the guard. After him Pada'Yah son of Parash.
26 Now the Nath'yana'ym dwelled in Apal, to the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that stands out.
27 After him the Thaqua'ym repaired another portion, over against the great tower that stands out, and to the wall of Apal.
28 Above the horse gate repaired the ka'ahn'ym (priests), everyone over against his own house.
29 After them repaired Tsaduq son of Amar over against his own house. After him repaired Shama'Yah son of Shakan'Yah, the keeper of the east gate.
30 After him repaired Khanan'Yah son of Shalama'Yah, and Khanun the sixth son of Zalap, another portion. After him repaired Ma'Shalam son of Baraka'Yah over against his room.
31 After him repaired Malak'Yah one of the goldsmiths to the house of the Nath'yana'ym, and of the merchants, over against the gate of Ha'Mapaqad, and to the ascent of the corner.
32 Between the ascent of the corner and the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.
CHAPTER 4
1 But it came to be that when San'balat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and took great indignation, and mocked the Yahud'ym.
2 He spoke before his brothers and the army of Shamar'un, and said, "What are these feeble Yahud'ym doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they slaughter? Will they finish in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, since they are burned?"
3 Now Tuba'Yah the Aman'ya was by him, and he said, "What they are building, if a fox climbed up it, he would break down their stone wall."
4 "Hear, our ALUAH; for we are despised; and turn back their reproach on their own head, give them up for a spoil in a land of captivity;
5 Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before you, for they have insulted the builders."
6 So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together to the half of it: for the people had a mind to work.
7 But it came to be that when San'balat, Tuba'Yah, the Arab'ya, the Aman'ya, and the Ashdud’ym heard that the repairing of the walls of Yaru'shalam went forward, that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very angry;
8 and they conspired all of them together to come and fight against Yaru'shalam, and to cause confusion therein.
9 But we made our prayer to our ALUAH, and made a watch against them day and night, because of them.
10 Yahudah said, "The strength of the bearers of burdens is weakening, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall."
11 And our adversaries said, "They shall not know, neither see, until we come into the midst of them, and kill them, and cause the work to cease."
12 And it came to be that when the Yahud'ym who dwelled by them came, they said to us ten times from all places, "Wherever you turn, they will attack us."
13 Therefore make I in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in the open places, I place the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
14 And I looked, and rose up, and said to the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them! Remember The Sovereign, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses."
15 And it came to be, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and ALUAH had brought their counsel to nothing, that we returned all of us to the wall, everyone to his work.
16 And it came to be from that time forth, that half of my servants worked in the work, and half of them held the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the coats of mail; and the rulers were behind all the house of Yahudah.
17 They all built the wall and those who bore burdens loaded themselves; everyone with one of his hands worked in the work, and with the other held his weapon;
18 and the builders, everyone wore his sword at his side, and so built. He who sounded the ram’s horn was by me.
19 And I said to the nobles, and to the rulers and to the rest of the people, "The work is great and large, and we are separated on the wall, one far from another.
20 Wherever you hear the sound of the ram’s horn, rally there to us. Our ALUAH will fight for us."
21 So we worked in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the rising until the stars appeared.
22 Also at the same time said I to the people, "Let everyone with his servant lodge within Yaru'shalam, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and may labor in the day."
23 So neither I, nor my brothers, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes. Everyone took his weapon to the water.
CHAPTER 5
1 Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brothers the Yahud'ym.
2 For there were those that said, "We, our sons and our daughters, are many. Let us get grain, that we may eat and dwell.”
3 Some also there were that said, "We are mortgaging our fields, and our vineyards, and our houses. Let us get grain, because of the famine."
4 There were also some who said, "We have borrowed money for the king's tribute using our fields and our vineyards as collateral.
5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children as their children. Behold, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters have been brought into bondage. Neither is it in our power to help it; for other men have our fields and our vineyards."
6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
7 Then I consulted with my heart, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them, "You exact usury, everyone of his brother." I held a great assembly against them.
8 And I said to them, "We, after our ability, have redeemed our brothers the Yahud'ym that were sold to the nations; and would you even sell your brothers, and should they be sold to us?" Then they kept silent, and found never a word.
9 Also I said, "The thing that you do is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our ALUAH, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?
10 I also, my brothers and my servants, lend them money and grain. Please let us stop this usury.
11 Please restore to them, even this day, their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the silver, and of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, that you are charging them."
12 Then they said, "We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do, even as you say." Then I called the ka'ahn'ym (priests), and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise.
13 Also I shook out my lap, and said, "So may ALUAH shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that doesn't perform this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and emptied." All the assembly said, "So Be It!”* and praised 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH). The people did according to this promise.
*Amana is one of the Yahud’yath ways to say truly or so be it. However, this word is closely attributed to the other word commonly said after religious prayers that refers to a pagan idol, and will therefore not be referenced in this version. See Also Exodus 23:13
14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Yahudah, from the twentieth year even to the two and thirtieth year of Ar'thakh'shash'tha the king, twelve years, I and my brothers have not eaten the bread of the governor.
15 But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, besides forty shaqals of silver; yes, even their servants ruled over the people: but I didn't do so, because of the fear of ALUAH.
16 Yes, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered there to the work.
17 Moreover there were at my table, of the Yahud'ym and the rulers, one hundred fifty men, besides those who came to us from among the nations that were around us.
18 Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this I didn't demand the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy on this people.
19 Remember to me, my ALUAH, for good, all that I have done for this people.
CHAPTER 6
1 And it came to be, when it was reported to San'balat and Tuba'Yah, and to Gasham the Arab'ya, and to the rest of our enemies, that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; though even to that time I had not placed up the doors in the gates,
2 that San'balat and Gasham sent to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together in the villages in the plain of A’unu." But they intended to harm me.
3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work, so that I can't come down. Why should the work cease, while I leave it, and come down to you?"
4 They sent to me four times after this sort; and I answered them the same way.
5 Then San'balat sent his servant to me the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
6 in which was written, "It is reported among the nations, and Gasham’u (Gasham’oo) says it, that you and the Yahud'ym intend to rebel. Because of that, you are building the wall. You would be their king, according to these words.
7 You have also appointed nab’ya’ym (prophets) to preach of you at Yaru'shalam, saying, 'There is a king in Yahudah!' Now it will be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together."
8 Then I sent to him, saying, "There are no such like words done as you say, but you imagine them out of your own heart."
9 For they all would have made us afraid, saying, "Their hands will be weakened from the work, that it not be done. But now, strengthen my hands."
10 And I went to the house of Shama'Yah son of Dala'Yah son of Mah'yatab'AL, who was shut in at his home; and he said, "Let us meet together in the house of ALUAH, within the Hayakal, and let us shut the doors of the Hayakal; for they will come to slay you; yes, in the night will they come to slay you."
11 And I said, "Should such a man as I flee? Who is there that, being such as I, would go into the Hayakal to save his khaYah (life)? I will not go in."
12 And I discerned, and behold, ALUAH had not sent him; but he pronounced this prophecy against me. Tuba'Yah and San'balat had hired him.
13 He hired so that I would be afraid, do so, and transgress, and that they might have material for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
14 "Remember, my ALUAH, for Tuba'Yah and San'balat, according to these their works, and also the prophetess Nuada'Yah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear."
15 So the wall was finished in the twenty-fifth of gathering*, in fifty-two days.
*This was the sixth month, AL’ul (AL’ool). This occurred a week before Trumpets.
16 And it came to be, when all our enemies heard, that all the nations that were about us feared, and were much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was worked of our ALUAH.
17 Moreover in those days the nobles of Yahudah sent many letters to Tuba'Yah, and of Tuba'Yah came to them.
18 For there were many in Yahudah sworn to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shakan'Yah son of Arakh; and his son Yahu'khanan had taken the daughter of Ma'Shalam son of Baraka'Yah as wife.
19 Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tuba'Yah sent letters to put me in fear.
CHAPTER 7
1 And it came to be, when the wall was built, and I had placed up the doors, and the gatekeepers and the singers and the Lu'ym were appointed,
2 that I put my brother Khanan'ya, and Khanan'Yah the governor of the castle, in charge of Yaru'shalam; for he was a trustworthy man, and feared ALUAH above many.
3 I said to them, "Don't let the gates of Yaru'shalam be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut the doors, and you bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Yaru'shalam, everyone in his watch, with everyone near his house."
4 Now the city was wide and large; but the people were few therein, and the houses were not built.
5 My ALUAH put into my heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written therein:
6 These are the children of the province, who went up out of the captivity of those who had been carried away, whom Nabu'khad'natsar the king of Babal had carried away, and who returned to Yaru'shalam and to Yahudah, everyone to his city;
7 who came with Zara'babal, Yashua, Nakhama'Yah, Azar'Yah, Ra'am'Yah, Nakha'man'ya, Mardaka'ya, Balshan, Ma'sapar'tha, Bagu'ya, Nakhum, and Ba’nah. The number of the men of the people of Yashar'AL:
8 sons of Parash, two thousand one hundred and seventy-two.
9 sons of Shapata’Yah, three hundred and seventy-two.
10 sons of Arakh, six hundred and fifty-two.
11 sons of Pakhath'mu'ab, of the sons of Yashua and Yu'ab, two thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
12 sons of Ayalam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four.
13 sons of Zathu'a, eight hundred and forty-five.
14 sons of Zaka'ya, seven hundred and sixty.
15 sons of Banu'ya, six hundred and forty-eight.
16 sons of Baba'ya, six hundred and twenty-eight.
17 sons of Az'gad, two thousand three hundred and twenty-two.
18 sons of Adanya'qam, six hundred and sixty-seven.
19 sons of Bagu'ya, two thousand and sixty-seven.
20 sons of Adayan, six hundred and fifty-five.
21 sons of Atar, of Khazaqa'Yah, ninety-eight.
22 sons of Khasham, three hundred and twenty-eight.
23 sons of Batsa'ya, three hundred and twenty-four.
24 sons of Khar'yap, one hundred and twelve.
25 sons of Gaba'un, ninety-five.
26 men of Bayath Lakham and Natap’ah, one hundred and eighty-eight.
27 men of Anathuth, one hundred and twenty-eight.
28 men of Bayath Aza'muth, forty-two.
29 men of Qara’yath Ya’ara’ym, Kap'yarah, and Baaruth, seven hundred and forty-three.
30 men of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred and twenty-one.
31 men of Maka'mas, one hundred and twenty-two.
32 men of Bayath AL and Aya, one hundred and twenty-three.
33 men of the other Nabu, fifty-two.
34 sons of the other Ayalam, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four.
35 sons of Kharam, three hundred and twenty.
36sons of Yarakhu, three hundred and forty-five.
37 sons of Lad, Khada'yad, and A’unu, seven hundred and twenty-one.
38 sons of Sana'ah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty.
39 The ka'ahn'ym (priests): sons of Yada'Yah, of the house of Yashua, nine hundred and seventy-three.
40 sons of Amar, one thousand and fifty-two.
41 sons of Pasha'khur, one thousand two hundred and forty-seven.
42 sons of Kharam, one thousand and seventeen.
43 The Lu'ym: sons of Yashua, of Qadama'ya'AL, of the sons of Hudu'ah, seventy-four.
44 The singers: sons of Asap, one hundred and forty-eight.
45 The gatekeepers: sons of Shalum, sons of Atar, sons of Tal'mun, sons of Aqub, sons of Khat'yat'a, sons of Shab'ya, one hundred and thirty-eight.
46 The Nath'yana'ym: sons of Tsa'yakha, sons of Kha'shupa, sons of Taba'uth,
47 sons of Qaras, sons of Saya’a, sons of Padun,
48 sons of Labanah, sons of Khagabah, sons of Shalam’ya,
49 sons of Khanan, sons of Gadal, sons of Gakhar,
50 sons of Ra'Yah, sons of Ratsa'yan, sons of Naquda,
51 sons of Gazam, sons of Aza, sons of Pasakh.
52 sons of Basa'ya, sons of Ma'un'ym, sons of Napu’shas’ym,
53 sons of Baqa'buq, sons of Khaqupa, sons of Khar'khur,
54 sons of Batsal'yth, sons of Makh'yada, sons of Kha'rasha,
55 sons of Bar'qus, sons of Saya'sara, sons of Thamakh,
56 sons of Natsa'yakh, sons of Khat'yapa.
57 sons of Shalamah's servants: sons of Sata'ya, sons of Su'par'tha, sons of Par'yada,
58 sons of Yalah, sons of Dark'un, sons of Gadal,
59 sons of Shapata’Yah, sons of Khata'yal, sons of Pakar’tha Ha'Tsaba'ya'ym, sons of Amun.
60 All the Nath'yana'ym, and the sons of Shalamah's servants, were three hundred and ninety-two.
61 These were those who went up from Thal Malakh, Thal Kha'rasha, Karub, Adun (Adoon), and Amar; but they could not show their fathers' houses, nor their seed, whether they were of Yashar'AL:
62 sons of Dala'Yah, sons of Tuba'Yah, sons of Naquda, six hundred and forty-two.
63 And of the ka'ahn'ym (priests): sons of Khaba'Yah, sons of Quts, sons of Barzal'ya, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzal'ya the Gal'ad'ya, and was called after their name.
64 These sought their register [among] those who were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.
65 The governor said to them, that they should not eat of the most Made Apart gifts, until there stood up a priest with Aur'ym and Tham'ym.
66 The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty,
67 besides their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred and thirty-seven: and they had two hundred and forty-five singing men and singing women.
68 Their horses were seven hundred and thirty-six; their mules, two hundred and forty-five;
69 camels, four hundred and thirty-five; donkeys, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
70 Some from among the heads of fathers' gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury one thousand darics of gold, fifty basins, and five hundred and thirty ka'ahn'ym (priestly) garments.
71 Some of the heads of fathers' gave into the treasury of the work twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand two hundred man’ym* of silver.
*Measurement to denote pounds
72 That which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand man’ym of silver, and sixty-seven ka'ahn'ym (priestly) garments.
73 So the ka'ahn'ym (priests), and the Lu'ym, and the gatekeepers, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nath'yana'ym, and all Yashar'AL, dwelled in their cities. When the seventh month was come, the children of Yashar'AL were in their cities.
CHAPTER 8
1 And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the broad place that was before the water gate; and they spoke to Azara the scribe to bring the book of the law of Mashah, which 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) had commanded to Yashar'AL.
2 And Azara the ka’ahn (priest) brought the Thurah before the assembly, both men and women, and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the seventh month.
3 And he read therein before the broad place that was before the water gate from early rising until midday, in the dwelling of the men and the women, and of those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were to the book of the Thurah.
4 And Azara the scribe stood on a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Ma'tha'tha'Yah, and Shama, and Ana'Yah, and Aura'Yah, and Khalaqa'Yah, and Ma’asha’Yah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pada'Yah, and Mash'Yah, and Malak'Yah, and Khasham, and Khash'badanah, and Zakara'Yah, Ma'Shalam.
5 And Azara opened the book in the sight of all the people; for he was above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up:
6 and Azara Barak 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), the great ALUAH. All the people answered, "So be it, so be it,” with the lifting up of their hands. They bowed their heads, and worshiped 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) with their faces to the ground.
7 Also Yashua, and Ban'ya, and Sharab'Yah, Yama’yan, Aqub, Shabatha'ya, Huda'Yah, Ma’asha’Yah, Qal'yata, Azar'Yah, Yahu'zabad, Khanan, Pala'Yah, and the Lu'ym, caused the people to understand the Thurah: and the people in their place.
8 And they read in the book, in the law of ALUAH, distinctly; and they gave the sense, so that they understood the reading.
9 And Nakhama'Yah, who was the governor, and Azara the ka’ahn (priest) the scribe, and the Lu'ym who taught the people, said to all the people, "This day is Made Apart to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) your ALUAH. Don't mourn, nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
10 Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is Made Apart to our Sovereign. Don't be grieved; for the joy of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) is your strength."
11 So the Lu'ym stilled all the people, saying, “Keep silent, for the day is Made Apart, neither be grieved."
12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
13 And on the second day were gathered together the heads of fathers' of all the people, the ka'ahn'ym (priests), and the Lu'ym, to Azara the scribe, even to give attention to the words of the Thurah.
14 And they found written in the Thurah, how that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) had commanded by Mashah, that the children of Yashar'AL should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month;
15 and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Yaru'shalam, saying, "Go out to the mountain, and get olive branches, and branches of wild olive, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written."
16 So the people went out, and brought them, and made themselves booths, everyone on the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of ALUAH, and in the broad place of the water gate, and in the broad place of the gate of Apara’ym.
17 And all the assembly of those who were come again out of the captivity made booths, and dwelled in Booths; for since the days of Yahusha son of Nun (Noon) to that day the children of Yashar'AL had not done so. There was very great gladness.
18 Also day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read in the book of the Thur’ath of ALUAH. They kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according to the ordinance.
CHAPTER 9
1 Now in the twenty-fourth day of this month the children of Yashar'AL were assembled with fasting, and with sackcloth, and earth on them.
2 The seed of Yashar'AL separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their transgressions, and the iniquities of their fathers.
3 They stood up in their place, and read in the book of the Thur’ath of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) their ALUAH a fourth part of the day; and [another] fourth part they confessed, and worshiped 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) their ALUAH.
4 Then stood up on the stairs of the Lu'ym, Yashua, and Ban'ya, Qadama'ya'AL, Shaban’Yah, Ban’ya, Sharab'Yah, Ban'ya, Khanan’ya, and cried with a loud voice to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) their ALUAH.
5 Then the Lu'ym, Yashua, and Qadama'ya'AL, Ban'ya, Kha'shaban'Yah, Sharab'Yah, Huda'Yah, Shaban’Yah, Pathakha'Yah, said, "Stand up and Barak 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) Your ALUAH from everlasting to everlasting! Barak be Your Esteemed Name, which is exalted above all Barakah and praise!
6 You are 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), even You alone. You have made shama'ym, the shama'ya of the shama'ym, with all their army, the earth and all that are on it, the seas and all that is in them, and you preserve them all. The army of shama'ym worships You.
7 You are 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), The ALUAH who chose Abaram, and brought him out of A’ur of the Kashad’ym, and gave him the name of Abara’ahm,
8 and found his heart trustworthy before you, and made a Bar’yath (covenant) with him to give the land of the Kanan’ya, the Khath’ya, the Amar’ya, and the Paraz’ya, and the Yabus’ya, and the Gar’gash’ya, to give it to his seed, and have performed Your words; for You are righteous.
9 "You saw the affliction of our fathers in Ma’tsara’ym, and heard their cry by the Sea of Reeds,
10 and showed signs and wonders against Para’ah, and against all his servants, and against all the people of his land; for You knew that they dealt proudly against them, and made a name for Yourself, as it is this day.
11 And You divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and You threw their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into the mighty waters.
12 Moreover, in a pillar of cloud You Led them by day; and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light in the way in which they should go.
13 “And You came down also on Mount Sayan'ya, and spoke with them from shama'ym, and gave them right ordinances and true Thur’uth, good statutes and commandments,
14 and made known to them Your Made Apart Shabath, and commanded them commandments, and statutes, and a Thurah, by Mashah Your servant,
15 and gave them bread from the sky for their hunger, and brought forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and commanded them that they should go in to possess the land which You had sworn to give them.
16 "But they and our fathers dealt proudly and hardened their neck, didn't listen to Your commandments,
17 and refused to obey, neither were they mindful of Your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But You are a ALUAH ready to pardon, favor and compassionate, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn't forsake them.
18 Yes, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, 'This is your idol who brought you up out of Ma’tsara’ym,' and had committed awful blasphemies;
19 Yet You in Your Great Compassion didn't forsake them in the wilderness: the pillar of cloud didn't depart from over them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way in which they should go.
20 You gave also Your Good RUKH to instruct them, and didn't withhold Your mana from their mouth, and gave them water for their thirst.
21 "Yes, forty years You sustained them in the wilderness. They lacked nothing. Their clothes did not grow old, and their feet didn't swell.
22 Moreover You gave them kingdoms and peoples, which you allotted according to their portions. So they possessed the land of Saya'khun (Saya’khoon), even the land of the king of Khash'bun (Khash’boon), and the land of A’uga (Uh’oo’ga) king of Bashan.
23 You also multiplied their children as the stars of the sky, and brought them into the land concerning which you said to their fathers, that they should go in to possess it.
24 "So the children went in and possessed the land, and you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Kanan'ya, and gave them into their hands, with their kings, and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they pleased.
25 They took fortified cities, and a rich land, and possessed houses full of all good, cisterns dug out, vineyards, and olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate, were filled, became fat, and delighted themselves in your great goodness.
26 "Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against You, and cast Your Thur’ath behind their back, and killed Your nab’ya (prophets) that warned them to turn them again to you, and they committed awful blasphemies.
27 Therefore You brought them into the hand of their adversaries, who distressed them. In the time of their trouble, when they cried to You, You heard from shama'ym; and according to your Great Compassion You gave them saviors who saved them out of the hand of their adversaries.
28 But after they had rest, they did evil again before you; therefore left You them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the rule over them; yet when they returned, and cried to You, You heard from shama'ym; and many times you saved them according to Your Compassion,
29 and warned them, that You might bring them again to your law. Yet they dealt proudly, and didn't listen to Your commandments, but transgressed against your ordinances, which if a man does, he shall dwell in them, turned their backs, stiffened their neck, and would not hear.
30 Yet many years You put up with them, and warned them by Your RUKH through your nab’ya (prophets). Yet would they not give ear. Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.
31 "Nevertheless in your Great Compassion You did not make a full end of them, nor forsake them; for You are a favorful and compassionate AL.
32 Now therefore, our ALUAH, the great, the mighty, and the awesome AL, who keeps Bar’yath (covenant) and loving kindness, don't let all the travail seem little before You, that has come on us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our ka'ahn (priests), and on our nab’ya (prophets), and on our fathers, and on all your people, since the time of the kings of Ashur to this day.
33 However, You are righteous in all that is come on us; for You have dealt truly, but we have done wickedly;
34 And neither have our kings, our princes, our ka'ahn (priests), nor our fathers, kept Your Thur’ath, nor listened to Your commandments and Your witnesses with that You witnessed against them.
35 For they have not served You in their kingdom, and in Your great goodness that You gave them, and in the large and rich land which You gave before them, neither did they turn from their wicked works.
36 "Behold, we are servants this day, and as for the land that You gave to our fathers to eat its fruit and its good, behold, we are servants in it.
37 It yields much increase to the kings whom You have placed over us because of our iniquities: also they have power over our bodies, and over our livestock, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
38 Yet for all this, we make an agreement, and write it; and our princes, our Lu'ya, our ka'ahn (priests), seal to it."
CHAPTER 10
1 Now those who sealed were: Nakhama'Yah the governor, son of Khakal'Yah, and Tsadaq’Yah,
2 Shara’Yah, Azar'Yah, Yaram'Yah,
3 Pasha'khur, Amar'Yah, Malak'Yah,
4 Khat'ush, Shaban’Yah, Maluk,
5 Kharam, Mara'muth, Abada'Yah,
6 Dan'ya'AL, Gan'thun (Gan’thoon), Baruk,
7 Ma'Shalam, Ab'Yah, Ma'yaman,
8 Ma'aza'Yah, Balag'ya, Shama'Yah; these were the ka'ahn'ym (priests).
9 And The Lu'ym: And Yashua son of Azan'Yah, Banu'ya of sons of Khana'dad, Qadama'ya'AL;
10 and their brothers, Shaban’Yah, Huda'Yah, Qal'yata, Pala'Yah, Khanan,
11 Mayaka, Rakhub, Khashab'Yah,
12 Zakur, Sharab'Yah, Shaban’Yah,
13 Huda'Yah, Ban'ya, Ban'yanu (Ban’yanoo).
14 The chiefs of the people: Parash, Pakhath'mu'ab, Ayalam, Zathu'a, Ban'ya,
15 Ban’ya, Az'gad, Baba'ya,
16 Adan'Yah, Bagu'ya, Adayan,
17 Atar, Khazaqa'Yah, Azur,
18 Huda'Yah, Khasham, Batsa'ya,
19 Khar'yap, Anathuth, Na’yab’ya,
20 Mag’pa’yash, Ma'Shalam, Khaz'yar,
21 Mash'yazab'AL, Tsaduq, Yadua,
22 Palata'Yah, Khanan, Ana'Yah,
23 Husha, Khanan'Yah, Kha'shub,
24 Ha'Lukhash, Pala’kha, Shu’baq (Shoo’baq),
25 Rakhum, Khashab’nah, Ma’asha’Yah,
26 and Akh'Yah, Khanan, Anan,
27 Maluk, Kharam, Ba'nah.
28 The rest of the people, the ka'ahn'ym (priests), the Lu'ym, the porters, the singers, the Nath'yana'ym, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of ALUAH, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, everyone who had knowledge, and understanding—
29 they joined with their brothers, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in ALUAH's Thur’ath, which was given by Mashah the servant of ALUAH, and to observe and do all the commandments of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) Our Sovereign, and His ordinances and His statutes;
30 and that we would not give our daughters to the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons,
31 and if the peoples of the land bring wares or any grain on the Shabath day to sell, that we would not buy of them on the Shabath, or on a Made Apart day; and that we would forego the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.
32 Also we made ordinances for ourselves, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shaqal for the service of the House of our ALUAH,
33 for the show bread, and for the continual meal offering, and for the continual burnt offering, for the Shabath’uth, for the new months, for the appointed times, and for the Made Apart matters, and for the transgression offerings to make atonement for Yashar'AL, and for all the work of the House of our ALUAH.
34 We cast lots, the ka'ahn'ym (priests), the Lu'ym, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our ALUAH, according to our fathers' houses, at times appointed, year by year, to burn on the altar of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) our ALUAH, as it is written in the Thurah,
35 and to bring the first fruits of our ground, and the first fruits of all fruit of all kinds of trees, year by year, to the house of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH),
36 also the firstborn of our sons, and of our livestock, as it is written in the law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our ALUAH, to the ka'ahn'ym (priests) who serve in the House of our ALUAH,
37 and that we should bring the first fruits of our dough, and our wave offerings, and the fruit of all kinds of trees, the new wine and the oil, to the ka'ahn'ym (priests), to the rooms of the house of our ALUAH; and the tithes of our ground to the Lu'ym; for they, the Lu'ym, take the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
38 And the ka’ahn (priest) son of A'haran shall be with the Lu'ym, when the Lu'ym take tithes: and the Lu'ym shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our ALUAH, to the rooms, into the treasure house.
39 For the children of Yashar'AL and the children of Lu'ya shall bring the wave offering of the grain, of the new wine, and of the oil, to the rooms, where are the vessels of the Made Apart, and the ka'ahn'ym (priests) who serve, and the gatekeepers, and the singers. We will not forsake the House of our ALUAH.
CHAPTER 11
1 Now the princes of the people dwelled in Yaru'shalam: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Yaru'shalam the Made Apart city, and nine parts in the cities.
2 And the people Barak all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Yaru'shalam.
3 Now these are the chiefs of the province who dwelled in Yaru'shalam: but in the cities of Yahudah dwelled everyone in his possession in their cities, Yashar'AL, the ka'ahn'ym (priests), and the Lu'ym, and the Nath'yana'ym, and the children of Shalamah's servants.
4 And in Yaru'shalam dwelled certain of the children of Yahudah, and of the children of Ban'yama'yan. Of the children of Yahudah: Atha'Yah son of Aza'Yah, son of Zakara'Yah, son of Amar'Yah, son of Shapata’Yah, son of Maha'lal'AL, of the children of Parats;
5 and Ma’asha’Yah son of Baruk, son of Kal'Khazah, son of Khaza'Yah, son of Ada'Yah, son of Yu'yara'yab, son of Zakara'Yah, son of the Shalan’ya.
6 All the sons of Parats who dwelled in Yaru'shalam were four hundred and sixty-eight valiant men.
7 These are the sons of Ban'yama'yan: Sala son of Ma'Shalam, son of Yu'ad, son of Pada'Yah, son of Qul'Yah, son of Ma’asha’Yah, son of Ayatha'y'AL, son of Yasha'Yah.
8 After him Gab'ya, Sal'ya, nine hundred and twenty-eight.
9 And YAHU'AL son of Zakara'ya was their overseer; and Yahudah son of Ha'sanua'ah was second over the city.
10 Of the ka'ahn'ym (priests): Yada'Yah son of Yu'yara'yab, Yakayan,
11 Shara’Yah son of Khalaqa'Yah, son of Ma'Shalam, son of Tsaduq, son of Mara'yuth, son of Akh'ya'tub, the ruler of the house of ALUAH,
12 and their brothers who did the work of the house, eight hundred and twenty-two; and Ada'Yah son of Yarakham, son of Palal'Yah, son of Amats'ya, son of Zakara'Yah, son of Pasha'khur, son of Malak'Yah,
13 and his brothers, chiefs of fathers', two hundred and forty-two; and Amash'sa'ya son of Azar'AL, son of Akhaz'ya, son of Mashal'muth (Mashal’mooth), son of Amar,
14 and their brothers, mighty men of valor, one hundred and twenty-eight; and their overseer was Zabada'y'AL, son of great men.
15 And of the Lu'ym: Shama'Yah son of Kha'shub, son of Azar'yaqam, son of Khashab'Yah, son of Bun'ya (Boon’ya);
16 and Shabatha'ya and Yahu'zabad, of the chiefs of the Lu'ym, who had the oversight of the outward business of the House of ALUAH;
17 and Mathan'Yah son of Mayaka, son of Zabada’ya, son of Asap, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Baq'baq’Yah, the second among his brothers; and Abada son of Shamua, son of Galal, son of Yadu'thun (Yadu’thoon).
18 All the Lu'ym in the Made Apart city were two hundred and eighty-four.
19 Moreover the gatekeepers, Aqub, Tal'mun, and their brothers, who kept watch at the gates, were one hundred and seventy-two.
20 And the rest of Yashar'AL, of the ka'ahn'ym (priests), the Lu'ym, were in all the cities of Yahudah, everyone in his inheritance.
21 But the Nath'yana'ym dwelled in Apal: and Tsa'yakha and Ga'shapa were over the Nath'yana'ym.
22 And the overseer also of the Lu'ym at Yaru'shalam was Aza'ya son of Ban'ya, son of Khashab'Yah, son of Mathan'Yah, son of Mayaka, of the sons of Asap, the singers, over the business of the House of ALUAH.
23 For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.
24 And Pathakha'Yah son of Mash'yazab'AL, of the children of Zarakh son of Yahudah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people.
25 As for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Yahudah lived in Qara’yath Arba and its towns, and in Da'yaban and its towns, and in Ya'qabats'AL and its villages,
26 and in Yashua, and in Mul’dah (Mool’dah), and in Bayath Palat,
27 and in Khatsar Shu’al, and in Ba'ar Shaba and its towns,
28 and in Tsaq'lag, and in Makanah and in its towns,
29 and in Ayan Ramun (Ramoon), and in Tsara'ah, and in Yar'muth (Yar’mooth),
30 Zanukh, Ad'lam, and their villages, Lak'yash and its fields, Az'qah and its towns. So they encamped from Ba'ar Shaba to the valley of Hanam.
31 The children of Ban'yama'yan also from Gaba, at Makamash and A'Yah, and at Bayath AL and its towns,
32 Anathuth, Nab, Anan'Yah,
33 Kha'tsur, Ramah, Gath'ym,
34 Khada'yad, Tsaba'ym, Nabalat,
35 Lad, and A’unu, the valley of craftsmen.
36 And of the Lu'ym, certain divisions in Yahudah were for Ban'yama'yan.
CHAPTER 12
1 Now these are the ka'ahn'ym (priests) and the Lu'ym who went up with Zara'babal son of Sha’al’tha’ya’AL, and Yashua: Shara’Yah, Yaram'Yah, Azara,
2 Amar'Yah, Maluk, Khat'ush (Khat’oosh),
3 Shakan'Yah, Rakhum, Mara'muth,
4 Adua, Ganath'uya (Ganath’ooya), Ab'Yah,
5 Ma'yaman, Ma'ad'Yah, Bal’gah,
6 Shama'Yah, and Yu'yara'yab, Yada'Yah.
7 Sala, Amuq (A’mooq), Khalaqa'Yah, Yada'Yah. These were the chiefs of the ka'ahn'ym (priests) and of their brothers in the days of Yashua.
8 Moreover the Lu'ym: Yashua, Banu'ya, Qadama'ya'AL, Sharab'Yah, Yahudah, Mathan'Yah, who was over the psalms, he and his brothers.
9 Also Baq'baq'Yah and Ana'ya, their brothers, were over against them according to their offices.
10 Yashua became the father of Yahu'yaq'yam, and Yahu'yaq'yam became the father of AL'yash'yab, and AL'yash'yab became the father of Yahu'Yada,
11 and Yahu'Yada brought forth Yahu'nathan, and Yahu'nathan became the father of Yadua.
12 And in the days of Yahu'yaq'yam were ka'ahn'ym (priests), heads of fathers': of Shara’Yah, Mar’Yah; of Yaram'Yah, Khanan'Yah;
13 of Azara, Ma'Shalam; of Amar'Yah, Yahu'khanan;
14 of Maluk'ya, Yahu'nathan; of Shaban’Yah, Yahu'sap;
15 of Kharam, Adna; of Mara'yuth, Khalaq'ya;
16 of Adua, Zakara'Yah; of Gan'thun, Ma'Shalam;
17 of Ab'Yah, Zakara'ya; of Man'yama'yan, of Mu'ad'Yah, Palat'ya;
18 of Bal’gah, Shamua; of Shama'Yah, Yahu'nathan;
19 and of Yu'yara'yab, Mathan'ya; of Yada'Yah, Aza'ya;
20 of Sal'ya, Qal’ya; of Amuq, Abar;
21 of Khalaqa'Yah, Khashab'Yah; of Yada'Yah, Nathan'AL.
22 As for the Lu'ym, in the days of AL'yash'yab, Yahu'Yada, and Yahu'Khanan, and Yadua, there were recorded the heads of fathers'; also the ka'ahn'ym (priests), in the reign of Dara'yush the Paras’ya.
23 The sons of Lu'ya, heads of fathers', were written in the book of words of the days, even until the days of Yahu'Khanan son of AL'yash'yab.
24 And the chiefs of the Lu'ym: Khashab'Yah, Sharab'Yah, and Yashua son of Qadama'ya'AL, with their brothers over against them, to praise and give thanks, according to the commandment of Dau'yad the man of ALUAH, watch next to watch.
25 Mathan'Yah, and Baq'baq'Yah, Abada'Yah, Ma'Shalam, Tal'mun, Aqub, were gatekeepers guarding the watch at the storehouses of the gates.
26 These were in the days of Yahu'yaq'yam son of Yashua, son of Yahu'tsadaq, and in the days of Nakhama'Yah the governor, and of Azara the ka’ahn (priest) the scribe.
27 At the dedication of the wall of Yaru'shalam they sought the Lu'ym out of all their places, to bring them to Yaru'shalam, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with giving thanks, and with singing, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and with harps.
28 The sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain around Yaru'shalam, and from the villages of the Natapath’ya;
29 also from the Bayath Gal’gal, and out of the fields of Gaba and Aza'muth: for the singers had built them villages around Yaru'shalam.
30 The ka'ahn'ym (priests) and the Lu'ym purified themselves; and they purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.
31 Then I brought up the princes of Yahudah on the wall, and appointed two great companies who gave thanks and went in procession, on the right hand on the wall toward the dung gate;
32 and after them went Husha’Yah, and half of the princes of Yahudah,
33 and Azar'Yah, Azara, and Ma'Shalam,
34 Yahudah, and Ban'yama'yan, and Shama'Yah, and Yaram'Yah,
35 and certain of the ka'ahn'ym (priests’) sons with trumpets: Zakara'Yah son of Yahu'nathan, son of Shama'Yah, son of Mathan'Yah, son of Mayaka'Yah, son of Zakur, son of Asap;
36 and his brothers, Shama'Yah, and Azar'AL, Malal'ya, Galal’ya, Ma’ya, Nathan'AL, and Yahudah, Khanan'ya, with the musical instruments of Dau'yad the man of ALUAH; and Azara the scribe was before them.
37 By the fountain gate, and straight before them, they went up by the stairs of the city of Dau'yad, at the ascent of the wall, above the house of Dau'yad, even to the water gate eastward.
38 The other company of those who gave thanks went to meet them, and I after them, with the half of the people, on the wall, above the tower of the furnaces, even to the broad wall,
39 and above the gate of Apara’ym, and by the old gate, and by the fish gate, and the tower of Khanan'AL, and the tower of the Hundred, even to the sheep gate: and they stood still in the gate of the guard.
40 So stood the two companies of those who gave thanks in the House of ALUAH, and I, and the half of the rulers with me;
41 and the ka'ahn'ym (priests), AL'yaq'yam, Ma’asha’Yah, Man'yama'yan, Mayaka'Yah, AL'YAHU'ayan'ya, Zakara'Yah, and Khanan'Yah, with trumpets;
42 and Ma’asha’Yah, and Shama'Yah, and AL'azar, and Aza'ya, and Yahu'khanan, and Malak'Yah, and Ayalam, and Azar. The singers sang loud, with Ya’zarakh’Yah their overseer.
43 They offered great offerings that day, and rejoiced; for ALUAH had made them rejoice with great joy; and the women also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Yaru'shalam was heard even afar off.
44 And on that day were men appointed over the rooms for the treasures, for the wave offerings, for the first fruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them, according to the fields of the cities, the portions appointed by the Thurah for the ka'ahn'ym (priests) and Lu'ym: for Yahudah rejoiced for the ka'ahn'ym (priests) and for the Lu'ym who waited.
45 They performed the duty of their ALUAH, and the duty of the purification, and the singers and the gatekeepers, according to the commandment of Dau'yad, and of Shalamah his son.
46 For in the days of Dau'yad and Asap of old there was a chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to ALUAH.
47 All Yashar'AL in the days of Zara'babal, and in the days of Nakhama'Yah, gave the portions of the singers and the gatekeepers, as every day required: and they Made Apart [what was] for the Lu'ym; and the Lu'ym Made Apart [what was] for the sons of A'haran.
CHAPTER 13
1 On that day they read in the book of Mashah in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that an Aman'ya and a Mab'ya should not enter into the assembly of ALUAH forever,
2 because they didn't meet the children of Yashar'AL with bread and with water, but hired Balam against them, to curse them: however our ALUAH turned the curse into a Barakah.
3 And it came to pass, when they had heard the Thurah, that they separated from Yashar'AL, all the mixed multitude.
4 Now before this, AL'yash'yab the ka’ahn (priest), who was appointed over the rooms of the house of our ALUAH, being allied to Tuba'Yah,
5 had prepared for him a great room, where before they laid the meal offerings, the frankincense, and the utensils, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Lu'ym, and the singers, and the porters; and the wave offerings for the ka'ahn'ym (priests).
6 But in all this, I was not at Yaru'shalam; for in the two and thirtieth year of Ar'thakh'shash'tha king of Babal I went to the king: and after certain days asked I leave of the king,
7 and I came to Yaru'shalam, and understood the evil that AL'yash'yab had done for Tuba'Yah, in preparing him a room in the courts of the House of ALUAH.
8 It grieved me severely: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tuba'Yah out of the room.
9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the rooms: and there brought I again the utensils of the House of ALUAH, with the meal offerings and the frankincense.
10 And I perceived that the portions of the Lu'ym had not been given them; so that the Lu'ym and the singers, who did the work, had fled everyone to his field.
11 Then I contended with the rulers and said, "Why is the House of ALUAH forsaken?" I gathered them together, and put them in their place.
12 Then brought all Yahudah the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the treasuries.
13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shalama'Yah the ka’ahn (priest), and Tsaduq the scribe, and of the Lu'ym, Pada'Yah: and next to them was Khanan son of Zakur, son of Mathan'Yah; for they were counted trustworthy, and their business was to distribute to their brothers.
14 Remember me, My ALUAH, concerning this, and don't wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the House of My ALUAH, and for its observances.
15 In those days saw I in Yahudah some men treading winepresses on the Shabath, and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all kinds of burdens, which they brought into Yaru'shalam on the Shabath day: and I witnessed in the day in which they sold food.
16 There dwelled men of Tsar'ym also therein, who brought in fish, and all kinds of wares, and sold on the Shabath to the children of Yahudah, and in Yaru'shalam.
17 Then I contended with the nobles of Yahudah, and said to them, "What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the Shabath day?
18 Didn't your fathers do thus, and didn't our ALUAH bring all this evil on us, and on this city? Yet you bring more wrath on Yashar'AL by profaning the Shabath."
19 And it came to pass that, when the gates of Yaru'shalam began to be dark before the Shabath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened until after the Shabath. I stood some of my servants over the gates, that no burden should be brought in on the Shabath day.
20 So the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside of Yaru'shalam once or twice.
21 Then I warned them, and said to them, "Why do you stay around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on, they didn't come on the Shabath.
22 I commanded the Lu'ym that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to Make Apart The Shabath Day. Remember to me, my ALUAH, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of your loving kindness.
23 In those days also saw I the Yahud'ym who had married wives of Ash'dud’yuth, of Aman’yuth, of Mu’ab’yuth:
24 and their children spoke half in the speech of Ash'dud, and could not speak in the Yahud’yath language, but according to the language of each people.
25 I contended with them, and cursed them, and struck certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by ALUAH, [saying], "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves.
26 Didn't Shalamah king of Yashar'AL transgress by these? Yet among many nations was there no king like him, and he was beloved of his ALUAH, and ALUAH made him king over all Yashar'AL. Nevertheless foreign wives caused even him to transgress.
27 Shall we then listen to you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our ALUAH in marrying foreign wives?”
28 One of the sons of Yahu'Yada, son of AL'yash'yab the high ka’ahn (priest), was son-in-law to San'balat the Kharan'ya: therefore I drove him from me.
29 Remember them, my ALUAH, because they have defiled the ka’ahn’ah (priesthood), and the Bar’yath (covenant) of the ka’ahn’ah (priesthood), and of the Lu'ym.
30 Thus I cleansed them from all that was foreign, and appointed duties for the ka'ahn'ym (priests) and for the Lu'ym, everyone in his work,
31 and for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the first fruits. Remember me, My ALUAH, for good!