Nehemja 13
nuBibeln (Swedish Contemporary Bible)
Nehemjas reformer
Inga främlingar i församlingen eller i templet
13 När man denna dag läste för folket ur Moses bok, fann man att där stod skrivet att ingen ammonit eller moabit någonsin skulle tillåtas att komma in i Guds församling. 2 De hade nämligen inte bistått israeliterna med mat och dryck utan i stället lejt Bileam att förbanna dem, även om vår Gud vände förbannelsen till välsignelse. 3 När de hörde denna lag, uteslöt de omedelbart alla utlänningar från Israel.
4 Innan detta hände hade prästen Eljashiv, en släkting till Tobia, blivit utsedd att förestå förråden i vår Guds hus. 5 Han hade inrett ett stort rum för honom, där man tidigare hade förvarat matoffren, rökelsen och kärlen samt tiondet av säden, det nya vinet och oljan, som var bestämda åt leviterna, sångarna och dörrvakterna, samt gåvorna till prästerna. 6 Jag var inte i Jerusalem när detta hände, för jag hade återvänt till kung Artaxerxes av Babylon under hans trettioandra regeringsår. Efter en tid bad jag dock kungen om tillstånd 7 att resa tillbaka till Jerusalem. Där fick jag reda på det onda som Eljashiv hade gjort i och med att han hade inrett ett rum åt Tobia på förgårdarna till Guds hus 8 och jag blev mycket upprörd och kastade ut alla hans tillhörigheter därifrån. 9 Sedan befallde jag att man genast skulle rena rummen, och jag hämtade tillbaka tempelkärlen, matoffren och rökelsen.
Leviterna återinkallas
10 Jag fick också reda på att leviterna inte fått vad de var berättigade till, och därför hade de och sångarna som skötte gudstjänsten återvänt till sina åkrar. 11 Då tillrättavisade jag styresmännen och frågade dem: ”Varför har Guds hus blivit försummat?” Sedan kallade jag tillbaka leviterna och återinsatte dem i deras tjänst. 12 Hela Juda bar då fram tionde av säd, vin och olja till förrådskamrarna.
13 Jag tillsatte prästen Shelemja och Sadok, den skriftlärde, tillsammans med Pedalja, en av leviterna, till att vara förvaltare över förrådshusen, och till sin assistent fick de Hanan, som var son till Sackur och sonson till Mattanja. Dessa män betraktades som pålitliga, och deras uppgift var nu att ombesörja utdelningen till sina bröder.
14 Min Gud, kom ihåg mig för detta, och glöm inte allt det fromma jag har gjort för min Guds hus och tjänsten där.
Inget arbete på sabbaten
15 Vid samma tid fick jag se män i Juda som trampade sin vinpress på sabbaten och andra som körde hem säd eller lastade sina åsnor med vin, druvor, fikon och alla slags bördor för att frakta detta till Jerusalem på sabbatsdagen. Jag varnade dem för att sälja mat på den dagen. 16 Det fanns också några där från Tyros, som förde in fisk och alla sorters varor till försäljning till judarna på sabbaten – och detta i Jerusalem!
17 Då tillrättavisade jag de förnäma männen i Juda: ”Hur kan ni göra detta onda? Varför vanhelgar ni sabbaten? 18 Var det inte därför att era fäder gjorde sådana överträdelser som Gud lät denna olycka drabba oss och vår stad? Nu drar ni ner ännu mer vrede över Israel genom att vanhelga sabbaten!”
19 När det började bli mörkt i Jerusalems portar före sabbaten, befallde jag att stadsportarna skulle stängas och inte öppnas förrän sabbaten var över. Jag lät några av mina män vakta portarna så att inte några bördor kunde föras in i staden under sabbaten. 20 Två eller tre gånger hände det att köpmän och försäljare övernattade utanför Jerusalem, 21 men jag varnade dem: ”Varför tillbringar ni natten vid muren? Om det händer igen kommer jag att ta till hårda tag!” De kom sedan aldrig mer på en sabbat.
22 Sedan befallde jag leviterna att rena sig och hålla vakt vid portarna för att bevara sabbaten helig.
Min Gud, kom ihåg mig för detta! Förbarma dig över mig efter din stora nåd!
Nehemja förbjuder blandäktenskap
23 Vid den tiden upptäckte jag också att några män i Juda hade gift sig med kvinnor från Ashdod, Ammon och Moab. 24 Hälften av deras barn talade ashdoditiska eller något annat av de andra folkens språk och kunde inte tala hebreiska[a]. 25 Jag förebrådde dem och uttalade förbannelser över dem, jag slog några av dem och drog dem i håret. Jag lät dem svära vid Gud: ”Ni får inte ge era döttrar åt deras söner och inte ta deras döttrar till hustrur åt era söner eller er själva. 26 Var det inte just så här som kung Salomo av Israel syndade? Det fanns ingen kung bland folken som kunde jämföras med honom, och Gud älskade honom och gjorde honom till kung över hela Israel, men ändå fick utländska kvinnor honom att synda. 27 Och nu måste vi höra att ni gör så mycket ont, att ni är otrogna mot vår Gud, att ni gifter er med främmande kvinnor!”
28 En son till Jojada, översteprästen Eljashivs son, var svärson till horoniten Sanvallat. Honom drev jag bort.
29 Kom ihåg dem, min Gud, för de har smutsat ner prästämbetet och prästernas och leviternas förbund.
30 Jag renade dem från allt främmande och fastställde prästernas och leviternas uppgifter, så att var och en visste vad han skulle göra. 31 Jag satte också upp tidsregler för vedoffret och när den första skörden skulle frambäras.
Tänk på detta, min Gud, mig till godo!
Footnotes
- 13:24 Ordagrant: judiska.
Nehemiah 13
1599 Geneva Bible
13 1 The Law is read. 3 They separate from them all strangers. 15 Nehemiah reproveth them that break the Sabbath. 30 An ordinance to serve God.
1 And on that day they did read in the book of Moses, in the audience of the people, and it was found written therein, that the Ammonite, and the Moabite (A)should not enter into the Congregation of God,
2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, (B)but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: and our God turned the curse into a blessing.
3 Now when they had heard the Law, they separated from Israel [a]all those that were mixed.
4 ¶ And before [b]this had the Priest Eliashib the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, being [c]kinsman to Tobiah:
5 And he had made him a great chamber, and there had they aforetime laid the offerings, the incense, and the vessels, and the tithes of corn, of wine, and of oil (appointed for the Levites, and the singers, and the porters) and the offerings of the Priests.
6 But in all this time was not I in Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of [d]Artachshashta King of Babel, came I unto the King, and [e]after certain days I obtained of the King.
7 And when I was come to Jerusalem, I understood [f]the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in that he had made him a chamber in the court of the house of God,
8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the vessels of the house of Tobiah out of the chamber.
9 And I commanded them to cleanse the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God with the meat offering and the incense.
10 And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given, and that everyone was fled to his land, even the Levites and singers that executed the work.
11 Then reproved I the rulers and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I assembled them, and set them in their place.
12 Then brought all Judah the tithes of corn and of wine, and of oil unto the treasures.
13 And I made treasurers over the treasures, Shelemiah the Priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah, and under their hand 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, herein, and wipe not out my [g]kindness that I have showed on the house of my God, and on the offices thereof.
15 In those days saw I in Judah them, that trod wine presses on the Sabbath, and that brought in sheaves, and which laded asses also with wine, grapes, and figs, and all burdens, and brought them into Jerusalem upon the Sabbath day: and [h]I protested to them in the day that they sold vittles.
16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish and all wares, and sold on the Sabbath unto the children of Judah even in Jerusalem.
17 Then reproved I the rulers of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and break the Sabbath day?
18 Did not your fathers [i]thus, and our God brought all this plague upon us, and upon this city? yet ye increase the wrath upon Israel, in breaking the Sabbath.
19 And when the gates of Jerusalem began to be [j]dark before the Sabbath, I commanded to shut the gates, 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 chapmen and merchants of all merchandise remained once or twice all night without Jerusalem.
21 And I protested among them, and said unto them, Why tarry ye all night about the wall? If ye do it once again, I will lay hands upon you. From that time came they no more on the Sabbath.
22 ¶ And I said unto the Levites, that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and [k]keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and pardon me according to thy great mercy.
23 In those days also I saw Jews that married wives of [l]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, and according to the language of the one people, and of the other people.
25 Then I reproved them, and [m]cursed them, and smote certain of them, and pulled off their hair, and took an oath of them by God, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, neither shall ye take of their daughters unto your sons nor for yourselves.
26 (C)Did not Solomon the king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no King like him: for he was (D)beloved of his God, and God had made him King over Israel: (E)yet strange women caused him to sin.
27 Shall we then obey unto you, to do all this great evil, and to transgress against our God, even to marry strange wives?
28 And one of the sons of Joiada the son of Eliashib the high Priest was the son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite: but I chased him from me.
29 Remember them, O my God, that [n]defile the Priesthood, and the covenant of the Priesthood, and of the Levites.
30 Then cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the Priests and of the Levites, every one in his office,
31 And for the offering of the wood at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, [o]in goodness.
Footnotes
- Nehemiah 13:3 That is, all such which had joined in unlawful marriage, and also those with whom God had forbidden them to have society.
- Nehemiah 13:4 That the separation was made.
- Nehemiah 13:4 He was joined in affinity with Tobiah the Ammonite and enemy of the Jews.
- Nehemiah 13:6 Called also Darius, Ezra 7:1.
- Nehemiah 13:6 Or, at the year’s end.
- Nehemiah 13:7 Thus we see to what inconveniences the people fall into, when they are destitute of one that hath the fear of God, seeing that their chief governor was but a while absent, and yet they fell into such great absurdities: as appeareth also, Exod. 32:1.
- Nehemiah 13:14 He protesteth that he did his duty with a good conscience, yet he doth not justify himself in therein, but desireth God to favor him and to be merciful unto him for his own goodness sake, as verse 22 and 31.
- Nehemiah 13:15 I declared unto them, that God would not suffer such transgressors of his Law to be unpunished.
- Nehemiah 13:18 Was not this a great cause, why God plagued us in times past: meaning, that if they transgressed now in the same again, their plague should be greater.
- Nehemiah 13:19 About the time that the Sun went down: for the Sabbath lasted from the Sun going down of the one day, to the Sun setting of the other.
- Nehemiah 13:22 Meaning, of the Temple, that none that was unclean, should enter.
- Nehemiah 13:23 Which was a city of the Philistines, and they had married wives thereof, and so had corrupted their speech and Religion.
- Nehemiah 13:25 That is, I did excommunicate them, and drive them out of the congregation.
- Nehemiah 13:29 Punish them according to their fault and evil example, which they have given to the rest of thy people contrary to their vocation.
- Nehemiah 13:31 That is, to show mercy unto me.
Nehemiah 13
King James Version
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;
2 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.
3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
4 And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:
5 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.
6 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:
7 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.
8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff to Tobiah out of the chamber.
9 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.
Nehemiah 13
New King James Version
Principles of Separation(A)
13 On that day (B)they read from the Book of Moses in the hearing of the people, and in it was found written (C)that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever come into the assembly of God, 2 because they had not met the children of Israel with bread and water, but (D)hired Balaam against them to curse them. (E)However, our God turned the curse into a blessing. 3 So it was, when they had heard the Law, (F)that they separated all the mixed multitude from Israel.
The Reforms of Nehemiah
4 Now before this, (G)Eliashib the priest, having authority over the storerooms of the house of our God, was allied with (H)Tobiah. 5 And he had prepared for him a large room, (I)where previously they had stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the articles, the tithes of grain, the new wine and oil, (J)which were commanded to be given to the Levites and singers and gatekeepers, and the offerings for the priests. 6 But during all this I was not in Jerusalem, (K)for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Then after certain days I obtained leave from the king, 7 and I came to Jerusalem and discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in (L)preparing a room for him in the courts of the [a]house of God. 8 And it grieved me bitterly; therefore I threw all the household goods of Tobiah out of the room. 9 Then I commanded them to (M)cleanse the rooms; and I brought back into them the articles of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.
10 I also realized that the portions for the Levites had (N)not been given them; for each of the Levites and the singers who did the work had gone back to (O)his field. 11 So (P)I contended with the rulers, and said, (Q)“Why is the house of God forsaken?” And I gathered them together and set them in their place. 12 (R)Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the storehouse. 13 (S)And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouse 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 considered (T)faithful, and their task was to distribute to their brethren.
14 (U)Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services!
15 In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses (V)on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens, (W)which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned them about the day on which they were selling provisions. 16 Men of Tyre dwelt there also, who brought in fish and all kinds of goods, and sold them on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, “What evil thing is this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day? 18 (X)Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.”
19 So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it (Y)began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened till after the Sabbath. (Z)Then I posted some of my servants at the gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 Now the merchants and sellers of all kinds of [b]wares [c]lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice.
21 Then I warned them, and said to them, “Why do you spend the night [d]around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you!” From that time on they came no more on the Sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites that (AA)they should cleanse themselves, and that they should go and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day.
Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Your mercy!
23 In those days I also saw Jews who (AB)had married women of (AC)Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. 24 And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and could not speak the language of Judah, but spoke according to the language of one or the other people.
25 So I (AD)contended with them and [e]cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them (AE)swear by God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters as wives to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or yourselves. 26 (AF)Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, (AG)who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. (AH)Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin. 27 Should we then hear of your doing all this great evil, (AI)transgressing against our God by marrying pagan women?”
28 And one of the sons (AJ)of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was a son-in-law of (AK)Sanballat the Horonite; therefore I drove him from me.
29 (AL)Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and (AM)the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.
30 (AN)Thus I cleansed them of everything pagan. I also (AO)assigned duties to the priests and the Levites, each to his service, 31 and to bringing (AP)the wood offering and the firstfruits at appointed times.
(AQ)Remember me, O my God, for good!
Footnotes
- Nehemiah 13:7 Temple
- Nehemiah 13:20 merchandise
- Nehemiah 13:20 spent the night
- Nehemiah 13:21 Lit. before
- Nehemiah 13:25 pronounced them cursed
Swedish Contemporary Bible (nuBibeln) Copyright © 2015 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
