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29 The rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all the others who had separated themselves from the neighboring peoples of the lands to adhere to the law of God—their wives, their sons, their daughters, all who are capable of understanding— 30 have now joined their brothers, the nobles, and with a solemn oath have sworn to follow the law of God which was given through Moses, the servant of God, and to observe and obey all the commandments, the rules, and the statutes of the Lord, our Lord.

31 We have agreed that we will not give our daughters in marriage to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 10:31 The topic of intermarriage is one of great importance for the Israelites’ survival and strength. Every time the Israelites married foreigners, they got caught up in idolatrous practices, and hence, they suffered both personally and politically.

29 all these now join their fellow Israelites the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath(A) to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord.

30 “We promise not to give our daughters in marriage to the peoples around us or take their daughters for our sons.(B)

31 “When the neighboring peoples bring merchandise or grain to sell on the Sabbath,(C) we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Every seventh year we will forgo working the land(D) and will cancel all debts.(E)

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