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Sabbath Restored

15 In those days I saw some in Judah who were treading wine presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves or sacks of grain and loading them on donkeys, as well as wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of loads, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I protested and warned them on the day they sold the produce. 16 Also men of Tyre were living there who brought fish and all kinds of merchandise, and they were selling them to the people of Judah on the Sabbath, even in Jerusalem. 17 Then I reprimanded the nobles of Judah, and said to them, “What is this evil thing that you are doing—profaning the Sabbath day? 18 Did your fathers (ancestors) not do the same, and did our God not bring all this trouble on us and on this city? Yet you are adding to the wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.”

19 Now when it began to get dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath [began], I commanded that the doors be shut and not be opened until after the Sabbath. Then I stationed some of my servants at the gates so that no load [of merchandise] would enter [Jerusalem] on the Sabbath day. 20 So once or twice the merchants and sellers of every kind of merchandise spent the night outside Jerusalem. 21 But I warned them, saying, “Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do so again, I will [a]use force against you.” From that time on, they did not come on the Sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and come and guard the gates to keep the Sabbath day holy. O my God, remember me concerning this also and have compassion on me according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness.

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Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 13:21 Lit send a hand against.

Sabbath Restored

15 In those days I saw in Judah people who were treading wine presses (A)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, (B)and they were bringing them into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So (C)I admonished them on the day they sold food. 16 Also people of Tyre were living [a]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 (D)I [b]reprimanded the nobles of Judah and said to them, “What is this evil thing that you are doing, [c]by profaning the Sabbath day? 18 (E)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 (F)it came about that just as it became dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered that the doors be shut, [d]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 (G)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 [e]use force against you.” From that time on they did not come on the Sabbath. 22 And I ordered the Levites that (H)they were to purify themselves and come as gatekeepers to sanctify the Sabbath day. For this also (I)remember me, my God, and have compassion on me according to the greatness of Your mercy.

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Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 13:16 Lit in it
  2. Nehemiah 13:17 Or contended with
  3. Nehemiah 13:17 Lit and
  4. Nehemiah 13:19 Lit and commanded
  5. Nehemiah 13:21 Lit send a hand against