Nehemiah's Final Reforms

13 On that day (A)they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people. And in it was found written (B)that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, for they did not meet the people of Israel with bread and water, but hired Balaam against them to curse them—yet our God turned the curse into a blessing. As soon as the people heard the law, (C)they separated from Israel all (D)those of foreign descent.

Read full chapter

Enemies of Israel Excluded(A)

13 Later that day the book of Moses was read aloud so the people could hear it, and a written command was discovered therein[a] permanently prohibiting the Ammonites and Moabites from coming into the congregation of God because they did not greet the Israelis with food and water, but instead hired Balaam to oppose them by cursing them, even though our God turned the curse into a blessing. When they heard the Law, they separated all those of foreign descent from Israel.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 13:1 Cf. Deut 23:3-5