The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

Nehemiah 13

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Ketuvim — the Writings

Nehemiah chapter 13 — part of the Ketuvim — the Writings in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “On that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammonite and a…” — the complete text of all 31 verses is below, free to read online.

1On that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of G-d for ever;

2because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them; howbeit our G-d turned the curse into a blessing.

3And it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the alien mixture.

4Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our G-d, being allied unto Tobiah,

5had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meal-offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the heave-offerings for the priests.

6But in all this time I was not at Jerusalem; for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went unto the king, and after certain days asked I leave of the king;

7and I came to Jerusalem, and understood the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of G-d.

8And it grieved me sore; therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber.

9Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers; and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of G-d, with the meal-offerings and the frankincense.

10And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them; so that the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.

11Then contended I with the rulers, and said: 'Why is the house of G-d forsaken?' And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

12Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the wine and the oil unto the treasuries.

13And 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.

14Remember me, O my G-d, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my G-d, and for the wards thereof.

15In those days saw I in Judah some treading winepresses on the sabbath, and bringing in heaps of corn, and lading asses therewith; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day; and I forewarned them in the day wherein they sold victuals.

16There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, who brought in fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

17Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them: 'What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?

18Did not your fathers thus, and did not our G-d bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.'

19And it came to pass that, when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened till after the sabbath; and some of my servants set I over the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.

20So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.

21Then I forewarned 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.

22And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember unto me, O my G-d, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Thy mercy.

23In those days also saw I the Jews that had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab;

24and their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.

25And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by G-d: 'Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves.

26Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, and he was beloved of his G-d, and G-d made him king over all Israel; nevertheless even him did the foreign women cause to sin.

27Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to break faith with our G-d in marrying foreign women?'

28And 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.

29Remember them, O my G-d, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.

30Thus cleansed I them from everything foreign, and appointed wards for the priests and for the Levites, every one in his work;

31and for the wood-offering, at times appointed, and for the first-fruits. Remember me, O my G-d, for good.

31 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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