Old/New Testament
Sanballat Opposes the Reconstruction
4 [a]When Sanballat heard that we were reconstructing the wall, he flew into a rage, became indignant, and mocked the Jews. 2 He addressed his allies and the Samaritan officials,[b] saying “What are these pathetic Jews doing? Are they intending to rebuild it by themselves? Do they intend to offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a single day? Can they make stones from this burned out rubble?”
3 Tobiah the Ammonite stood to the side, commenting, “If a fox were to jump onto what they’re building, it would collapse their stone wall!”
Nehemiah’s Prayer
4 “Listen, our God, because we are being mocked. Let their insults fall back on them,[c] and let them be dragged away as captives into exile. 5 Don’t atone their iniquity, and don’t let their sin be blotted out from before you, because they have demoralized the builders.”
6 So we rebuilt the wall, completing it halfway up, because the people were committed to working.
Sanballat Reacts to the Progress
7 [d]But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repair work on the Jerusalem wall was progressing and that its breaches were being repaired, they flew into a rage. 8 So they all conspired together to invade and fight against Jerusalem, creating confusion there.
Nehemiah Reacts to Sanballat
9 But we prayed to our God. We also set up guards day and night because of them.
10 Meanwhile, the people of[e] Judah said, “The builders are tired and there’s so much rubble that we can’t reconstruct the wall!”
11 Our enemies said, “Before they notice or see us, we’ll penetrate their midst, kill them, and stop the work!”
12 The Jews who lived near them kept coming to us, reporting at least[f] ten times, “They’ll attack us from every direction.” 13 So I stationed the people by families behind the wall in the lower exposed areas, equipping them with their swords, spears, and bows.
14 Looking things over, I stood up and spoke to the officials, the military leaders, and the rest of the people: “Don’t fear them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord. Fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.”
15 Our opponents heard that we had learned about them, that God had brought their plans to failure, and that each and every one of us had come to work on the wall. 16 From that day on, half of my helpers engaged in the work while the other half kept spears, shields, bows, and armor ready. The senior officials backed all of the Judeans 17 who worked on the wall. Those who carried building materials worked with one hand, carrying a spear in the other. 18 Each builder worked with a sword strapped to his side, while a trumpeter remained beside me to sound an alarm.[g]
19 I told the officials, rulers, and the rest of the people, “The project is large and extensive, and we are separated from each other on the wall, 20 so wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, come over to us, and our God will fight for us!” 21 So we worked hard, half of us holding spears from dawn to dusk.
22 At the same time I told the people, “Let’s have everyone sleep at night inside Jerusalem with their servants, so they can guard us at night and work during the day. 23 No one—neither I, my allies, my servants, nor the bodyguards who accompanied me—changed clothes. Everyone carried a weapon even while going for water.
Settling Some Civil Disputes
5 Now the people along with their spouses complained loudly against their fellow[h] Jews, 2 because certain of them kept claiming, “Since we have so many sons and daughters, we must get some grain so we can eat and survive.”
3 Others were saying, “We’re having to mortgage our fields, our vineyards, and our homes so we can buy grain during this famine.”
4 Still others were saying “We’ve borrowed money against our fields and vineyards to pay the king’s taxes. 5 Now our bodies are no different than the bodies of our relatives, and our children are like their children. Nevertheless, we’re about to force our sons and daughters into slavery, and some of our daughters are already in bondage. It’s beyond our power to do anything about it, because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”
6 I became very livid when I heard their complaining and these charges. 7 So after thinking it over carefully, I accused the officials and nobles openly, “Every one of you is charging your fellow countrymen interest!” So I opened a public investigation against them.
8 I accused them, “To the best of our ability, we’ve been buying back our fellow Jews who had been sold to foreigners. Even now you’re selling your fellow countrymen, only for them to be sold back to us!” They kept quiet and never spoke a word.
9 So I said, “What you’re doing isn’t right! Shouldn’t you live in the fear of our God to avoid shame from our foreign enemies? 10 I’m also lending money and grain, as are my fellow-Jews and my servants, but let’s not charge interest. 11 So today please restore to them their fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and homes, along with the one percent interest charge[i] that you’ve assessed them on the grain, wine, and oil.”
12 They responded, “We will restore these things,[j] and will assess no interest charges[k] against them. We will do what you are requesting!”
So I called the priests and made them take an oath to fulfill this promise. 13 I also shook my robes,[l] and said, “May God shake out every man from his house and his possessions who does not keep this promise. May he be emptied out and shaken just like this.”
All the assembly said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord. And the people kept their promise.
Nehemiah Refuses the Governor’s Allotment
14 In addition, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah (that is, during the twelve years from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes), neither I nor my relatives relied on the provisions[m] allotted to the governor. 15 Nevertheless, the former governors before me placed a heavy burden on the people. They received food and wine, plus a tax of[n] 40 shekels[o] of silver. Even their young men took advantage of the people, but I never did so because I feared God.
16 Also, as I continued to work on the wall, we purchased no land, and all of my young men were employed in the work. 17 I fed 150 Jews and officials every day, not counting those who came from the nations around us. 18 Our daily requirements were one ox and six choice sheep, along with various kinds of poultry prepared for me. Every ten days there was a delivery of an abundant supply of wine. Despite all this, I refused the governor’s allotment,[p] because demands on the people were heavy.
19 “Remember me with favor, my God, for everything I’ve done for this people.”
A Diversion is Attempted
6 When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had completed the wall and that no break remained in it (even though by that time I hadn’t yet installed the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent word[q] to me, saying “Come, let’s meet together at Kephirim on the Ono Plain.” But they were just trying to do me harm.
3 So I sent messengers to them, replying “I am involved in a great endeavor, so I can’t leave. Why should the work stop while I leave it to come down to you?” 4 They sent me this message four times, and I answered them the same way.
5 Then Sanballat sent his assistant to me the fifth time. But this time the letter was sent[r] unsealed, and 6 in it was written:
It is reported among the nations—and Gashmu confirms this—that you and the Jews are planning a revolt, and that you’re rebuilding the wall in order to declare yourself king. According to these reports, 7 you also have appointed prophets to proclaim about you in Jerusalem, “There is a king in Judah!” Since these words are being reported to the king, come and let’s meet together.
8 I sent word back[s] to him, “Nothing has happened as you’ve claimed. You’re making up these charges[t] in your imagination.”[u] 9 For they all were trying to make us afraid by saying, “Their hands will become tired from laboring, so the work won’t be completed.”
“Therefore, Lord,[v] strengthen my hands!”
A Conspiracy Charge Emerges
10 Later I visited Delaiah’s son Shemaiah, a grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined at home. He kept urging me, “Let’s meet together at the house of God, within the Temple, and take refuge there,[w] because they’re coming to kill you. In fact, they’re coming at night to kill you!”
11 But I asked him, “Should a man like me run? Should someone like me run into the Temple to save his life? I won’t go there!” 12 I perceived that God had not sent him. Instead, Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him to pronounce this prophecy against me. 13 He had been hired to make me afraid so I would sin by doing what he suggested.[x] Then they could create a slanderous report to use against me.
14 “Remember me, my God, and take note of what Tobiah and Sanballat are doing. Also take note of the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who intend to make me afraid.”
15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth day of Elul in 52 days.
Tobiah’s Continued Harassment
16 When all of our enemies—including the surrounding nations—heard this, they became very discouraged, since they saw that the work had been done by our God. 17 Meanwhile, at that time the nobles of Judah continued to send many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah kept sending letters[y] to them. 18 For many Judeans had sworn allegiance to him, since he was son-in-law to Arah’s son Shecaniah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Berechiah’s son Meshullam. 19 Furthermore, they kept reporting Tobiah’s[z] good deeds to me, and kept repeating what I told him. Tobiah kept sending letters to intimidate me.
Nehemiah Appoints Administrators
7 After the wall had been completed and its doors installed, then the gatekeepers, singers, and descendants of Levi were appointed. 2 I appointed my brother Hanani and fortress commander Hananiah to be over Jerusalem, since he was a faithful person who revered God more than many others did. 3 I charged them, “Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until mid-day.[aa] Until then, let everyone stand watch, keeping the gates shut and locked. Appoint security watches from those who live in Jerusalem. Everyone should maintain his own watch near his house.” 4 Even though the city was large and spread out, not many people were living there and not many houses had been built. 5 So my God gave me the idea to gather together the nobles, the officials, and the people so they could be registered according to their genealogies.
A List of Those who Returned(A)
I found a register of the original inhabitants in which there was recorded 6 a list of descendants[ab] of the province of Judah[ac] who returned from captivity, from those who had been exiled by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. They had come back to Jerusalem and to Judah, each one to his town. 7 They were coming with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani,[ad] Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth,[ae] Bigvai, Nehum,[af] and Baanah. Here is the enumeration of:
The Men of Israel:
8 Parosh’s descendants:[ag] 2,172
9 Shephatiah’s descendants: 372
10 Arah’s descendants: 652[ah]
11 Pahath-moab’s descendants; that is, through Jeshua and Joab: 2,818[ai]
12 Elam’s descendants: 1,254
13 Zattu’s descendants: 845[aj]
14 Zaccai’s descendants: 760
15 Binnui’s descendants:[ak] 648[al]
16 Bebai’s descendants: 628[am]
17 Azgad’s descendants: 2,322[an]
18 Adonikam’s descendants: 667[ao]
19 Bigvai’s descendants: 2,067[ap]
20 Adin’s descendants: 655[aq]
21 Ater’s descendants through Hezekiah: 98
22 Hashum’s descendants: 328[ar]
23 Bezai’s descendants: 324[as]
24 Hariph’s descendants:[at] 112
25 Gibeon’s descendants:[au] 95
26 People from Bethlehem and Netophah: 188[av]
27 People from Anathoth: 128
28 People from Beth-azmaveth:[aw] 42
29 People from Kiriath-jearim,[ax] Chephirah, and Beeroth: 743
30 People from Ramah and Geba: 621
31 People from Michmas: 122
32 People from Bethel and Ai: 123[ay]
33 People from the other Nebo: 52
34 The other Elam’s descendants: 1,254
35 Harim’s descendants: 320
36 Jericho’s descendants: 345
37 Descendants of Lod, Hadid, and Ono: 721[az]
38 Senaah’s descendants: 3,930[ba]
39 The Priests:
Jedaiah’s descendants from the household of Jeshua: 973
40 Immer’s descendants: 1,052
41 Pashhur’s descendants: 1,247
42 Harim’s descendants: 1,017
43 The Descendants of Levi:
Jeshua of Kadmiel’s descendants: that is, Hodevah’s descendants:[bb] 74
44 The Singers:
Asaph’s descendants: 148[bc]
45 The Gatekeepers:
Shallum’s descendants, Ater’s descendants, Talmon’s descendants, Akkub’s descendants, Hatita’s descendants, Shobai’s descendants: 138[bd]
46 The Temple Servants:
Descendants of Ziha, Hasupha, and Tabbaoth.
47 Descendants of Keros, Sia,[be] and Padon.
48 Descendants of Lebanah, Hagabah, and Shalmai.[bf]
49 Descendants of Hanan, Giddel, and Gahar.
50 Descendants of Reaiah, Rezin, and Nekoda.
51 Descendants of Gazzam, Uzza, and Paseah.
52 Descendants of Besai,[bg] Meunim, and Nephushesim,[bh]
53 Descendants of Bakbuk, Hakupha, and Harhur.
54 Descendants of Bazlith,[bi] Mehida, and Harsha.
55 Descendants of Barkos, Sisera, and Temah.
56 Descendants of Neziah and Hatipha.
57 The Descendants of Solomon’s Servants:
Descendants of Sotai, Sophereth,[bj] and Perida,[bk]
58 Descendants of Jaala, Darkon, and Giddel,
59 Descendants of Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth-hazzebaim, and Ammon;[bl]
60 All of the Temple Servants and descendants of Solomon’s servants numbered 392.
Non-Documented Persons(B)
61 Here is a list of returnees from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, who could not prove their ancestry and lineage from Israel:
62 Descendants of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda: 642[bm]
63 Of the Priests:
Descendants of Habaiah, Koz,[bn] and Barzillai, who married one of the daughters of Barzillai from Gilead and took that name.
64 These people searched for their ancestral records, but they couldn’t be located. Accordingly, they were considered disqualified[bo] from the priesthood. 65 The governor[bp] ordered them not to eat anything holy until a priest would be installed with Urim and Thummim.[bq]
66 The entire assembly numbered 42,360, 67 not including their 7,337 male and female servants. They had 245[br] men and women singers. 68 [bs]They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 69 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.
Gifts for the Temple(C)
70 Some of the heads of the families contributed to the work. The governor[bt] contributed 1,000 gold drachmas to the treasury, along with 50 basins, and 530 priestly garments. 71 Some of the heads of the families gave to the treasury 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,200 silver units[bu] for the work. 72 The rest of the people gave 20,000 gold drachmas, 2,000 silver units[bv], and 67 priestly garments.
73 The priests, descendants of Levi, gatekeepers, singers, some of the people, the Temple Servants, and all the Israelis settled in their cities.
Ezra Reads the Law(D)
73 Seven months later,[bw] the Israelis had settled in their own cities.
22 “Fellow Israelis, listen to these words: Jesus from Nazareth[a] was a man authenticated to you by God through miracles, wonders, and signs that God performed through him among you, as you yourselves know. 23 After he was arrested according to the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified this very man and killed him using the hands of lawless men. 24 But God raised him up, putting an end to the suffering of death,[b] since it was impossible for him to be held by it, 25 since David says about him,
‘I always keep my eyes on the Lord,[c]
for he is at my right hand
so that I cannot be shaken.
26 That is why my heart is glad
and my tongue rejoices,
yes, even my body still rests securely in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades[d]
or allow your Holy One to experience decay.
28 You have made the ways of life known to me,
and you will fill me with gladness in your presence.’[e]
29 “Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and that his tomb is among us to this day. 30 Therefore, since he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him with an oath to put one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he looked ahead and spoke about the resurrection of the Messiah:[f]
32 “It was this very Jesus whom God raised—and we’re all witnesses of that. 33 He has been exalted to the right hand of God, has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit,[i] and has caused you to experience what you are seeing and hearing. 34 After all, David did not go up to heaven, but he said,
36 “Therefore, let all the people[l] of Israel understand beyond a doubt that God made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!”[m]
37 When the crowd that had gathered[n] heard this, they were pierced to the heart. They asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
38 Peter answered them, “Every one of you must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah[o] for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift.[p] 39 For this promise belongs to you and your children, as well as to all those who are distant, whom the Lord our God may call to himself.”
40 Using many different expressions, Peter[q] continued to testify and to plead: “Be saved,” he urged them, “from this corrupt generation!” 41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized. That day about 3,000 people were added to their number.
Life among the Believers
42 The believers[r] continued to devote themselves to what the apostles were teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to times of prayer.[s] 43 A sense of fear[t] came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were united and shared everything with one another.[u] 45 They made it their practice to sell their possessions and goods and to distribute the proceeds[v] to anyone who was in need. 46 United in purpose, they went to the Temple every day, ate at each other’s homes, and shared their food with glad and humble hearts. 47 They were praising God and enjoying the good will of all the people. Every day the Lord was adding to their number those who were being saved.
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