Dedication of the Wall

27 Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they could celebrate the dedication with joy, with songs of thanksgiving and with songs (A)to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps, and lyres. 28 So the sons of the singers were assembled from the territory around Jerusalem, and from (B)the villages of the Netophathites, 29 from Beth-gilgal and from their fields in Geba and Azmaveth, because the singers had built themselves villages around Jerusalem. 30 The priests and the Levites (C)purified themselves; they also purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

Procedures for the Temple

31 Then I had the leaders of Judah come up on top of the wall, and I appointed two large [a]choirs, [b](D)the first proceeding to the right on top of the wall toward (E)the Dung Gate. 32 Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah followed them, 33 with Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 34 Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, 35 and some of the sons of the priests with trumpets; and Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph, 36 and his kinsmen, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, (F)with the musical instruments of David the man of God. And Ezra the scribe went before them. 37 At (G)the Fountain Gate they went directly up (H)the steps of the city of David by the stairway of the wall, above the house of David to (I)the Water Gate on the east.

38 (J)The second [c]choir proceeded to the [d]left, while I followed them with half of the people on the wall, (K)above the Tower of Furnaces, to (L)the Broad Wall, 39 and above (M)the Gate of Ephraim, by (N)the Ancient Gate, by the (O)Fish Gate, (P)the Tower of Hananel, and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate; and they stopped at (Q)the Gate of the Guard. 40 Then the two choirs took their positions in the house of God. So did I and half of the officials with me; 41 and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with the trumpets; 42 and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam, and Ezer. And the singers [e]sang, with Jezrahiah their leader, 43 and on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because (R)God had given them great joy, and the women and children rejoiced as well, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from far away.

44 On that day (S)men were also appointed over the chambers for the supplies, the contributions, the first fruits, and the tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions required by the Law for the priests and Levites; for Judah rejoiced over the priests and the Levites who [f]served. 45 For they performed the [g]worship of their God and the service of purification, together with the singers and the gatekeepers (T)in accordance with the command of David and of his son Solomon. 46 For in the days of David and (U)Asaph, in ancient times, there were [h](V)leaders of the singers, songs of praise and songs of thanksgiving to God. 47 So all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and Nehemiah gave the portions due the singers and the gatekeepers (W)as each day required, and they [i](X)set apart the consecrated portion for the Levites, and the Levites [j]set apart the consecrated portion for the sons of Aaron.

Foreigners Excluded

13 On that day the Book of Moses was (Y)read aloud [k]as the people listened; and there was found written in it that (Z)no Ammonite or Moabite was ever to enter the assembly of God, because they did not meet the sons of Israel with bread and water, but (AA)hired Balaam against them to curse them. However, (AB)our God turned the curse into a blessing. So when they heard the Law, (AC)they excluded (AD)all foreigners from Israel.

Tobiah Expelled and the Temple Cleansed

Now prior to this, Eliashib the priest, (AE)who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, being [l]related to (AF)Tobiah, had prepared a large [m]room for him, where previously they used to put the grain offerings, the frankincense, the utensils and the tithes of grain, wine, and oil (AG)prescribed for the Levites, the singers, and the gatekeepers, and the [n]contributions for the priests. But during all this time I was not in Jerusalem, for in (AH)the thirty-second year of (AI)Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had come to the king. After some time, however, I requested a leave of absence from the king, and I came to Jerusalem and [o]learned about the evil that Eliashib had committed for [p]Tobiah, (AJ)by preparing a [q]room for him in the courtyards of the house of God. It was very displeasing to me, so I (AK)threw all of Tobiah’s household articles out of the room. Then I gave an order, and (AL)they cleansed the rooms; and I returned the utensils of the house of God there with the grain offering and the frankincense.

Tithes Restored

10 I also [r]discovered that (AM)the portions of the Levites had not been given to them, so the Levites and the singers who performed the service had [s]gone away, (AN)each to his own field. 11 So I [t](AO)reprimanded the officials and said, “(AP)Why has the house of God been neglected?” Then I gathered them together and stationed them at their posts. 12 All Judah then brought (AQ)the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses. 13 To be in charge of the storehouses, I appointed Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah from the Levites, and in addition to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for (AR)they were considered reliable, and it was [u]their task to distribute to their kinsmen. 14 (AS)Remember me for this, my God, and do not wipe out my loyal deeds which I have performed for the house of my God and its services.

Sabbath Restored

15 In those days I saw in Judah people who were treading wine presses (AT)on the Sabbath, and bringing in sacks of grain and loading them on donkeys, as well as wine, grapes, figs, and every kind of load, (AU)and they were bringing them into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So (AV)I admonished them on the day they sold food. 16 Also people of Tyre were living [v]there who imported fish and all kinds of merchandise, and sold them to the sons of Judah on the Sabbath, even in Jerusalem. 17 Then (AW)I [w]reprimanded the nobles of Judah and said to them, “What is this evil thing that you are doing, [x]by profaning the Sabbath day? 18 (AX)Did your fathers not do the same, so that our God brought on us and on this city all this trouble? Yet you are adding to the wrath against Israel by profaning the Sabbath.”

19 And (AY)it came about that just as it became dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered that the doors be shut, [y]and that they were not to open them until after the Sabbath. Then I stationed some of my servants at the gates so that no load would enter on the Sabbath day. 20 Once or twice the traders and merchants of every kind of merchandise spent the night outside Jerusalem. 21 Then (AZ)I warned them and said to them, “Why do you spend the night in front of the wall? If you do so again, I will [z]use force against you.” From that time on they did not come on the Sabbath. 22 And I ordered the Levites that (BA)they were to purify themselves and come as gatekeepers to sanctify the Sabbath day. For this also (BB)remember me, my God, and have compassion on me according to the greatness of Your mercy.

Mixed Marriages Forbidden

23 In those days I also saw that the Jews had [aa](BC)married women from (BD)Ashdod, (BE)Ammon, and Moab. 24 As for their children, half spoke in the language of Ashdod, and none of them knew how to speak the language of Judah, but [ab]only the language of his own people. 25 So (BF)I quarreled with them and cursed them, and (BG)struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and (BH)made them swear by God, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take any of their daughters for your sons or for yourselves. 26 (BI)Did Solomon the king of Israel not sin regarding these things? (BJ)Yet among the many nations there was no king like him, and (BK)he was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel; yet the foreign women caused even him to sin. 27 Has it not then been reported about you that you have committed all this great evil (BL)by acting unfaithfully against our God, by [ac]marrying foreign women?” 28 Even one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, became a son-in-law of (BM)Sanballat the Horonite, so I chased him away from me. 29 (BN)Remember them, my God, [ad]because they have defiled the priesthood and the (BO)covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.

30 (BP)So I purified them from everything foreign, and assigned duties to the priests and the Levites, each in his work, 31 and I arranged (BQ)for the delivery of wood at appointed times and for the first fruits. (BR)Remember me, my God, for good.

Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 12:31 Lit thanksgiving choirs
  2. Nehemiah 12:31 Heb and processions to the right
  3. Nehemiah 12:38 Lit thanksgiving choir
  4. Nehemiah 12:38 Heb uncertain, perhaps opposite
  5. Nehemiah 12:42 Lit made themselves heard
  6. Nehemiah 12:44 Lit stood
  7. Nehemiah 12:45 Lit service
  8. Nehemiah 12:46 Lit heads
  9. Nehemiah 12:47 Or gave votive offerings to
  10. Nehemiah 12:47 Or gave votive offerings to
  11. Nehemiah 13:1 Lit in the ears of the people
  12. Nehemiah 13:4 Lit close to
  13. Nehemiah 13:5 Or chamber
  14. Nehemiah 13:5 Or uplifted offerings
  15. Nehemiah 13:7 Or understood
  16. Nehemiah 13:7 An Ammonite, banned from the temple
  17. Nehemiah 13:7 Or chamber, and so in vv 8, 9
  18. Nehemiah 13:10 Or knew
  19. Nehemiah 13:10 Lit fled
  20. Nehemiah 13:11 Or contended with
  21. Nehemiah 13:13 Lit on them to
  22. Nehemiah 13:16 Lit in it
  23. Nehemiah 13:17 Or contended with
  24. Nehemiah 13:17 Lit and
  25. Nehemiah 13:19 Lit and commanded
  26. Nehemiah 13:21 Lit send a hand against
  27. Nehemiah 13:23 Lit given dwelling to
  28. Nehemiah 13:24 Lit according to the tongue of people and people
  29. Nehemiah 13:27 Lit giving dwelling to
  30. Nehemiah 13:29 Lit for the defilements of

Dedication of the Wall of Jerusalem

27 At the dedication(A) of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals,(B) harps and lyres.(C) 28 The musicians also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem—from the villages of the Netophathites,(D) 29 from Beth Gilgal, and from the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the musicians had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. 30 When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people,(E) the gates and the wall.

31 I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of[a] the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks. One was to proceed on top of[b] the wall to the right, toward the Dung Gate.(F) 32 Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah followed them, 33 along with Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, 34 Judah, Benjamin,(G) Shemaiah, Jeremiah, 35 as well as some priests with trumpets,(H) and also Zechariah son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zakkur, the son of Asaph, 36 and his associates—Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah and Hanani—with musical instruments(I) prescribed by David the man of God.(J) Ezra(K) the teacher of the Law led the procession. 37 At the Fountain Gate(L) they continued directly up the steps of the City of David on the ascent to the wall and passed above the site of David’s palace to the Water Gate(M) on the east.

38 The second choir proceeded in the opposite direction. I followed them on top of[c] the wall, together with half the people—past the Tower of the Ovens(N) to the Broad Wall,(O) 39 over the Gate of Ephraim,(P) the Jeshanah[d] Gate,(Q) the Fish Gate,(R) the Tower of Hananel(S) and the Tower of the Hundred,(T) as far as the Sheep Gate.(U) At the Gate of the Guard they stopped.

40 The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God; so did I, together with half the officials, 41 as well as the priests—Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah with their trumpets— 42 and also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malkijah, Elam and Ezer. The choirs sang under the direction of Jezrahiah. 43 And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

44 At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms(V) for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes.(W) From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites.(X) 45 They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, as did also the musicians and gatekeepers, according to the commands of David(Y) and his son Solomon.(Z) 46 For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph,(AA) there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise(AB) and thanksgiving to God. 47 So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.(AC)

Nehemiah’s Final Reforms

13 On that day the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people and there it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever be admitted into the assembly of God,(AD) because they had not met the Israelites with food and water but had hired Balaam(AE) to call a curse down on them.(AF) (Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing.)(AG) When the people heard this law, they excluded from Israel all who were of foreign descent.(AH)

Before this, Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms(AI) of the house of our God. He was closely associated with Tobiah,(AJ) and he had provided him with a large room formerly used to store the grain offerings and incense and temple articles, and also the tithes(AK) of grain, new wine and olive oil prescribed for the Levites, musicians and gatekeepers, as well as the contributions for the priests.

But while all this was going on, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes(AL) king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Some time later I asked his permission and came back to Jerusalem. Here I learned about the evil thing Eliashib(AM) had done in providing Tobiah(AN) a room in the courts of the house of God. I was greatly displeased and threw all Tobiah’s household goods out of the room.(AO) I gave orders to purify the rooms,(AP) and then I put back into them the equipment of the house of God, with the grain offerings and the incense.(AQ)

10 I also learned that the portions assigned to the Levites had not been given to them,(AR) and that all the Levites and musicians responsible for the service had gone back to their own fields.(AS) 11 So I rebuked the officials and asked them, “Why is the house of God neglected?”(AT) Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts.

12 All Judah brought the tithes(AU) of grain, new wine and olive oil into the storerooms.(AV) 13 I put Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and a Levite named Pedaiah in charge of the storerooms and made Hanan son of Zakkur, the son of Mattaniah, their assistant, because they were considered trustworthy. They were made responsible for distributing the supplies to their fellow Levites.(AW)

14 Remember(AX) me for this, my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services.

15 In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, together with wine, grapes, figs and all other kinds of loads. And they were bringing all this into Jerusalem on the Sabbath.(AY) Therefore I warned them against selling food on that day. 16 People from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them in Jerusalem on the Sabbath(AZ) to the people of Judah. 17 I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, “What is this wicked thing you are doing—desecrating the Sabbath day? 18 Didn’t your ancestors do the same things, so that our God brought all this calamity on us and on this city?(BA) Now you are stirring up more wrath against Israel by desecrating the Sabbath.”(BB)

19 When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath,(BC) I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 Once or twice the merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside Jerusalem. 21 But I warned them and said, “Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will arrest you.” From that time on they no longer came on the Sabbath. 22 Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and go and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy.

Remember(BD) me for this also, my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love.

23 Moreover, in those days I saw men of Judah who had married(BE) women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab.(BF) 24 Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language(BG) of Judah. 25 I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath(BH) in God’s name and said: “You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.(BI) 26 Was it not because of marriages like these that Solomon king of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him.(BJ) He was loved by his God,(BK) and God made him king over all Israel, but even he was led into sin by foreign women.(BL) 27 Must we hear now that you too are doing all this terrible wickedness and are being unfaithful to our God by marrying(BM) foreign women?”

28 One of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib(BN) the high priest was son-in-law to Sanballat(BO) the Horonite. And I drove him away from me.

29 Remember(BP) them, my God, because they defiled the priestly office and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.(BQ)

30 So I purified the priests and the Levites of everything foreign,(BR) and assigned them duties, each to his own task. 31 I also made provision for contributions of wood(BS) at designated times, and for the firstfruits.(BT)

Remember(BU) me with favor, my God.

Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 12:31 Or go alongside
  2. Nehemiah 12:31 Or proceed alongside
  3. Nehemiah 12:38 Or them alongside
  4. Nehemiah 12:39 Or Old

27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.

28 And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi;

29 Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem.

30 And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, 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 Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah,

33 And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam,

34 Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,

35 And certain of the priests' sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:

36 And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.

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

38 And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall;

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

40 So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:

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

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

43 Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.

44 And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, 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 singers 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 son.

46 For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.

47 And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.

13 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;

Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.

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

And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:

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 Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.

But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:

And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.

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

Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels 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 singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.

11 Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.

13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.

14 Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.

15 In those days saw I in Judah 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 Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.

16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath 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 Israel by profaning the sabbath.

19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem 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.

20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.

21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.

22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.

23 In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:

24 And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.

25 And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.

26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin 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 Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.

27 Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?

28 And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.

29 Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.

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

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

Christian Order

11 (A)Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

Now (B)I praise you because you (C)remember me in everything and (D)hold firmly to the traditions, just as I handed them down to you. But I want you to understand that Christ is the (E)head of every man, and [a](F)the man is the head of a woman, and God is the (G)head of Christ. Every man who has something on his head while praying or (H)prophesying disgraces his head. But every (I)woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for it is one and the same as the woman [b]whose head is (J)shaved. For if a woman does not cover [c]her head, have her also [d]cut her hair off; however, if it is disgraceful for a woman to [e]have her hair cut off or [f]her head shaved, have her cover [g]her head. For a man should not have his head covered, since he is the (K)image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For (L)man [h]does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but (M)woman for the man’s sake. 10 Therefore the woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 However, in the Lord, neither is woman [i]independent of man, nor is man [j]independent of woman. 12 For as the woman originated from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and (N)all things originate (O)from God. 13 (P)Judge [k]for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does even nature itself not teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her as a covering. 16 But if anyone is inclined to be contentious, (Q)we have no [l]such practice, nor have (R)the churches of God.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Or the head of a woman is her husband
  2. 1 Corinthians 11:5 Lit who is shaved
  3. 1 Corinthians 11:6 Lit herself
  4. 1 Corinthians 11:6 Lit shear herself
  5. 1 Corinthians 11:6 Lit shear herself
  6. 1 Corinthians 11:6 Lit herself
  7. 1 Corinthians 11:6 Lit herself
  8. 1 Corinthians 11:8 Lit is not from
  9. 1 Corinthians 11:11 Lit without
  10. 1 Corinthians 11:11 Lit without
  11. 1 Corinthians 11:13 Lit among
  12. 1 Corinthians 11:16 I.e., the one advocated by Paul’s opponents

11 Follow my example,(A) as I follow the example of Christ.(B)

On Covering the Head in Worship

I praise you(C) for remembering me in everything(D) and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you.(E) But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ,(F) and the head of the woman is man,[a](G) and the head of Christ is God.(H) Every man who prays or prophesies(I) with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies(J) with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.(K) For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

A man ought not to cover his head,[b] since he is the image(L) and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;(M) neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.(N) 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own[c] head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.(O)

13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.(P)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Or of the wife is her husband
  2. 1 Corinthians 11:7 Or Every man who prays or prophesies with long hair dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with no covering of hair dishonors her head—she is just like one of the “shorn women.” If a woman has no covering, let her be for now with short hair; but since it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair shorn or shaved, she should grow it again. A man ought not to have long hair
  3. 1 Corinthians 11:10 Or have a sign of authority on her

11 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.

Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

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Prayer for Rescue from Enemies.

A Psalm of David.

35 Contend, Lord, with those who (A)contend with me;
Fight against those who (B)fight against me.
Take hold of [a](C)buckler and shield
And rise up as (D)my help.
Draw also the spear and [b]the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me;
Say to my soul, “I am (E)your salvation.”
Let those be (F)ashamed and dishonored who seek my [c]life;
Let those be (G)turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me.
Let them be (H)like chaff before the wind,
With the angel of the Lord driving them on.
Let their way be dark and (I)slippery,
With the angel of the Lord pursuing them.
For (J)they (K)hid their net for me without cause;
Without cause they dug a pit for my soul.
Let (L)destruction come upon him when he is unaware,
And (M)let the net which he hid catch him;
Let him fall into that very (N)destruction.

So my soul shall (O)rejoice in the Lord;
It shall (P)rejoice in His salvation.
10 All my (Q)bones will say, “Lord, (R)who is like You,
Who rescues the afflicted from one (S)who is too strong for him,
And (T)the afflicted and the poor from one who robs him?”
11 (U)Malicious witnesses rise up;
They ask me things that I do not know.
12 They (V)repay me evil for good,
To the bereavement of my soul.
13 But as for me, (W)when they were sick, my (X)clothing was sackcloth;
I (Y)humbled my soul with fasting,
But my (Z)prayer kept returning to [d]me.
14 I went about as though it were my friend or brother;
I (AA)bowed down [e]in mourning, like one who mourns for a mother.
15 But (AB)at my [f]stumbling they rejoiced and gathered themselves together;
The [g](AC)afflicted people whom I did not know gathered together against me,
They [h](AD)slandered me without ceasing.
16 Like godless jesters at a feast,
They (AE)gnashed at me with their teeth.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 35:2 I.e., small shield
  2. Psalm 35:3 Or close up the path against those
  3. Psalm 35:4 Or soul
  4. Psalm 35:13 Lit my chest
  5. Psalm 35:14 Or dressed for mourning
  6. Psalm 35:15 Or limping
  7. Psalm 35:15 Or struck ones
  8. Psalm 35:15 Lit tore

Psalm 35

Of David.

Contend,(A) Lord, with those who contend with me;
    fight(B) against those who fight against me.
Take up shield(C) and armor;
    arise(D) and come to my aid.(E)
Brandish spear(F) and javelin[a](G)
    against those who pursue me.
Say to me,
    “I am your salvation.(H)

May those who seek my life(I)
    be disgraced(J) and put to shame;(K)
may those who plot my ruin
    be turned back(L) in dismay.
May they be like chaff(M) before the wind,
    with the angel of the Lord(N) driving them away;
may their path be dark and slippery,
    with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.

Since they hid their net(O) for me without cause(P)
    and without cause dug a pit(Q) for me,
may ruin overtake them by surprise—(R)
    may the net they hid entangle them,
    may they fall into the pit,(S) to their ruin.
Then my soul will rejoice(T) in the Lord
    and delight in his salvation.(U)
10 My whole being will exclaim,
    “Who is like you,(V) Lord?
You rescue the poor from those too strong(W) for them,
    the poor and needy(X) from those who rob them.”

11 Ruthless witnesses(Y) come forward;
    they question me on things I know nothing about.
12 They repay me evil for good(Z)
    and leave me like one bereaved.
13 Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth(AA)
    and humbled myself with fasting.(AB)
When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
14     I went about mourning(AC)
    as though for my friend or brother.
I bowed my head in grief
    as though weeping for my mother.
15 But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;(AD)
    assailants gathered against me without my knowledge.
    They slandered(AE) me without ceasing.
16 Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;[b](AF)
    they gnashed their teeth(AG) at me.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 35:3 Or and block the way
  2. Psalm 35:16 Septuagint; Hebrew may mean Like an ungodly circle of mockers,

35 Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.

Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.

Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.

Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt.

Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord chase them.

Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the Lord persecute them.

For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.

Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall.

And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

10 All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?

11 False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.

12 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.

13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

14 I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother.

15 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:

16 With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.

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17 One who (A)loves pleasure will become a poor person;
One who loves wine and oil will not become rich.
18 The wicked is a (B)ransom for the righteous,
And the (C)treacherous is in the place of the upright.

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17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
    whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.(A)

18 The wicked become a ransom(B) for the righteous,
    and the unfaithful for the upright.

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17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

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