Read Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah1

¹The words of Nechemyah [God comforts] the son of Hakhalyah [whom Yehovah enlightens]. And it came to pass in the month Kislev [his confidence], in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan [lily] the palace,

²That Hanani [gracious], one of my brethren, came, he and [certain] men of Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised]; and I asked them concerning the Y’hudim (Judeans) that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace].

³And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province [are] in great affliction and reproach (disgrace; shame): the wall of Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace] also [is] broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

⁴And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned [certain] days, and fasted, and prayed before the God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] of heaven,

⁵And said, I beseech (to call upon; appeal; beg) youi, O LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] of heaven, the great and terrible God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], that keeps covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:

⁶Let youi ear now be attentive, and youi eyes open, that youi may hear the prayer of youi servant, which I pray before youi now, day and night, for the people of Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God] youi servants, and confess the sins of the people of Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God], which we have sinned against youi: both I and my father’s house have sinned.

⁷We have dealt very corruptly against youi, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which youi commanded youi servant Moshe [He Who Draws Out Of The Waters].

⁸Remember, I beseech (to call upon; appeal; beg) youi, the word that youi commanded youi servant Moshe [He Who Draws Out Of The Waters], saying, [If] you2f transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:

⁹But [if] you2f turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, [yet] will I gather them from there, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.

¹⁰Now these [are] youi servants and youi people, whom youi have redeemed by youi great power, and by youi strong hand.

¹¹O Lord-Adonai (The Father) [Greatest Above All Things], I beseech (to call upon; appeal; beg) youi, let now youi ear be attentive to the prayer of youi servant, and to the prayer of youi servants, who desire to fear youi name: and prosper, I pray youi, youi servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.

¹And it came to pass in the month Nisan [their flight], in the twentieth year of Artach’shashta [I will make the spoiled to boil: I will stir myself (in) winter] the king, [that] wine [was] before him: and I took up the wine, and gave [it] unto the king. Now I had not been [formerly] sad in his presence.

²For what reason the king said unto me, Why [is] youi Countenance (Face, appearance; show favor) sad, seeing youi [are] not sick? this [is] nothing [else] but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,

³And said unto the king, Let the king live forever: why should not my Countenance (Face, appearance; show favor) be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, [lies] waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?

⁴Then the king said unto me, For what do youi make request? So I prayed to the God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] of heaven.

⁵And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if youi servant have found favour in youi sight, that youi would send me unto Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised], unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.

⁶And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall youi journey be? and when will youi return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.

⁷Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised];

⁸And a letter unto Asaf [gatherer] the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which [appertained] to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] upon me.

⁹Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.

¹⁰When Sanvalat [strength] the Horoni [native of twin caves], and Toviyah [Yehovah is good] the servant, the ‘Amoni [tribal], heard [of it], it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the people of Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God].

¹¹So I came to Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace], and was there three days.

¹²And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I [any] man what my God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] had put in my heart to do at Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace]: neither [was there any] beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.

¹³And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace], which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.

¹⁴Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king’s pool: but [there was] no place for the beast [that was] under me to pass.

¹⁵Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and [so] returned.

¹⁶And the rulers knew not to which I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told [it] to the Y’hudim (Judeans), nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.

¹⁷Then said I unto them, You2f see the distress that we [are] in, how Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace] [lies] waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace], that we be no more a reproach (disgrace; shame).

¹⁸Then I told them of the hand of my God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for [this] good [work].

¹⁹But when Sanvalat [strength] the Horoni [native of twin caves], and Toviyah [Yehovah is good] the servant, the ‘Amoni [tribal], and Geshem [rain] the Aravi [Arabian], heard [it], they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What [is] this thing that you2f do? will you2f rebel against the king?

²⁰Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but you2f have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace].

¹Then Elyashiv [God restores] the High Priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Me’ah [hundred] they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hanan’el [God has favoured].

²And next unto him built the men of Yericho [Its Moon]. And next to them built Zakur [Mindful] the son of Imri [eloquent].

³But the fish gate did the sons of Hasna’ah [thorny] build, who [also] laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

⁴And next unto them repaired M’remot [elevations] the son of Uriyah [Yehovah is my flame], the son of Hakotz [thorn]. And next unto them repaired Meshulam [friend] the son of Berekhyah [Yehovah blesses], the son of Mesheizav’el [God delivers]. And next unto them repaired Tzadok [righteous] the son of Ba’ana [in the affliction].

⁵And next unto them the T’koi [trumpet blast] repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord-Adon [Lord of the Earth].

⁶Moreover the old gate repaired Y’hoyada [Yehovah knows] the son of Paseach [limper], and Meshulam [friend] the son of B’sodyah [with the counsel of Yehovah]; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

⁷And next unto them repaired M’latyah [Yehovah delivered] the Giv’oni [little hill: hilly], and Yadon [thankful] the Meronoti [joyful shouter], the men of Giv’on [Hill City], and of Mitzpah [watchtower], unto the throne of the governor on this side the river.

⁸Next unto him repaired Uzziel [My Strength is God] the son of Harhayah [fear of Yehovah], of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananyah [God has favoured] the son of [one of] the apothecaries, and they fortified Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace] unto the broad wall.

⁹And next unto them repaired Refayah [healed of Yehovah] the son of Hur [Liberty], the ruler of the half part of Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace].

¹⁰And next unto them repaired Y’da’yah [Yehovah has known] the son of Harumaf [split nose], even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hatush [assembled] the son of Hashavn’yah [whom Yehovah regards].

¹¹Malkiyah [my king is Yehovah] the son of Harim [dedicated], and Hashuv [considerate] the son of Pachat-Mo’av [pit of Mo’av], repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.

¹²And next unto him repaired Shalum [retribution] the son of HaLochesh [whisperer], the ruler of the half part of Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace], he and his daughters.

¹³The valley gate repaired Hanun [gracious], and the inhabitants of Zanoach [Cast Off]; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate.

¹⁴But the dung gate repaired Malkiyah [my king is Yehovah] the son of Rekhav [rider], the ruler of part of Beit-Hakerem [house of the vineyard]; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

¹⁵But the gate of the fountain repaired Shalun [retribution] the son of Kol-Hozah [all-seeing], the ruler of part of Mitzpah [watchtower]; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the Pool of Shelach [sent] by the king’s garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David [beloved].

¹⁶After him repaired Nechemyah [God comforts] the son of Azbuk [strong devistation], the ruler of the half part of Beit’Tzur [House of the Rock], unto [the place] over against the sepulchres of David [beloved], and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.

¹⁷After him repaired the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], Rechum [compassion] the son of Bani [built]. Next unto him repaired Hashavyah [Yehovah has considered], the ruler of the half part of Ke’ilah [Fortress], in his part.

¹⁸After him repaired their brethren, Bavai [my goings] the son of Henadad [favour of Hadad], the ruler of the half part of Ke’ilah [Fortress].

¹⁹And next to him repaired ‘Ezer [treasure] the son of Yeshua [he is saved], the ruler of Mitzpah [watchtower], another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning [of the wall].

²⁰After him Barukh [Blessed (Favored by God; happy; prosperous)] the son of Zabai [pure] earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning [of the wall] unto the door of the house of Elyashiv [God restores] the High Priest.

²¹After him repaired M’remot [elevations] the son of Uriyah [Yehovah is my flame] the son of Hakotz [thorn] another piece, from the door of the house of Elyashiv [God restores] even to the end of the house of Elyashiv [God restores].

²²And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.

²³After him repaired Binyamin [Son of the Right Hand/Strength] and Hashuv [considerate] over against their house. After him repaired ‘Azaryah [Yehovah has helped] the son of Ma’aseiyah [work of Yehovah] the son of ‘Ananyah [Yehovah clouds] by his house.

²⁴After him repaired Binui [built up] the son of Henadad [favour of Hadad] another piece, from the house of ‘Azaryah [Yehovah has helped] unto the turning [of the wall], even unto the corner.

²⁵Palal [judge] the son of Uzai [I shall have my sprinklings], over against the turning [of the wall], and the tower which lies out from the king’s high house, that [was] by the court of the prison. After him P’dayah [Yehovah has ransomed] the son of Par’osh [flea].

²⁶Moreover the temple servants dwelt in ‘Ofel [hill], unto [the place] over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lies out.

²⁷After them the T’koi [trumpet blast] repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lies out, even unto the wall of ‘Ofel [hill].

²⁸From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.

²⁹After them repaired Tzadok [righteous] the son of Immer [he has said] over against his house. After him repaired also Sh’may’yah [Yehovah hears] the son of Sh’khanyah [dweller with Yehovah], the keeper of the east gate.

³⁰After him repaired Hananyah [God has favoured] the son of Shelemyah [repaid by Yehovah] [repaid by Yehovah], and Hanun [gracious] the sixth son of Tzalaf [wound], another piece. After him repaired Meshulam [friend] the son of Berekhyah [Yehovah blesses] over against his chamber.

³¹After him repaired Malkiyah [my king is Yehovah] the goldsmith’s son unto the place of the temple servants, and of the merchants, over against the Gate Mif’kad [command], and to the going up of the corner.

³²And between the going up of the corner unto the Sheep Gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.

¹But it came to pass, that when Sanvalat [strength] heard that we built the wall, he was exceedingly angry, and took great indignation, and mocked the Y’hudim (Judeans).

²And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Shomron [watch mountain], and said, What do these feeble Y’hudim (Judeans)? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?

³Now Toviyah [Yehovah is good] the ‘Amoni [tribal] [was] by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.

⁴Hear, O our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered]; for we are despised: and turn their reproach (disgrace; shame) upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:

⁵And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before youi: for they have provoked [youi] to anger before the builders.

⁶So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.

⁷But it came to pass, [that] when Sanvalat [strength], and Toviyah [Yehovah is good], and the Arabians, and the ‘Amon [Inbred], and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace] were made up, [and] that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very exceedingly angry,

⁸And conspired all of them together to come [and] to fight against Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace], and to hinder it.

⁹Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

¹⁰And Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised] said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and [there is] much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.

¹¹And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.

¹²And it came to pass, that when the Y’hudim (Judeans) which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places from what place you2f shall return unto us [they will be upon you].

¹³Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, [and] on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.

¹⁴And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not you2f afraid of them: remember the Lord-Adonai (The Father) [Greatest Above All Things], [which is] great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

¹⁵And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] had brought their counsel to nothing, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.

¹⁶And it came to pass from that time forth, [that] the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers [were] behind all the house of Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised].

¹⁷They which built on the wall, and they that bore burdens, with those that laded, [every one] with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other [hand] held a weapon.

¹⁸For the builders, everyone had his sword girded by his side, and [so] built. And he that sounded the trumpet [was] by me.

¹⁹And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work [is] great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.

²⁰In what place [therefore] you2f hear the sound of the trumpet, resort you2f there unto us: our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] shall fight for us.

²¹So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.

²²Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let everyone with his servant lodge within Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace], that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day.

²³So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, [saving that] every one put them off for washing.

¹And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Y’hudim (Judeans).

²For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, [are] many: therefore we take up corn [for them], that we may eat, and live.

³[Some] also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the famine.

⁴There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, [and that upon] our lands and vineyards.

⁵Yet now our flesh [is] as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and [some] of our daughters are brought unto bondage [already]: neither [is it] in our power [to redeem them]; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

⁶And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.

⁷Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, You2f exact usury (interest paid for using money), every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.

⁸And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Y’hudim (Judeans), which were sold unto the heathen; and will you2f even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing [to answer].

⁹Also I said, It [is] not good that you2f do: ought you2f not to walk in the fear of our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] because of the reproach (disgrace; shame) of the heathen our enemies?

¹⁰I likewise, [and] my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury (interest paid for using money).

¹¹Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth [part] of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that you2f exact of them.

¹²Then said they, We will restore [them], and will require nothing of them; so will we do as youi say. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.

¹³Also I shook my lap, and said, So God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performs not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate). And the people did according to this promise.

¹⁴Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised], from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artach’shashta [I will make the spoiled to boil: I will stir myself (in) winter] the king, [that is], twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.

¹⁵But the former governors that [had been] before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants bore rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered].

¹⁶Yes, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants [were] gathered there unto the work.

¹⁷Moreover [there were] at my table an hundred and fifty of the Y’hudim (Judeans) and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that [are] about us.

¹⁸Now [that] which was prepared [for me] daily [was] one ox [and] six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.

¹⁹Think upon me, my God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], for good, [according] to all that I have done for this people.

¹Now it came to pass, when Sanvalat [strength], and Toviyah [Yehovah is good], and Geshem [rain] the Aravi [Arabian], and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and [that] there was no breach (breaking forth; a break; opening, inlet) left in it; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)

²That Sanvalat [strength] and Geshem [rain] sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in [some one of] the villages in the plain of Ono [vigorous]. But they thought to do me mischief.

³And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I [am] doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

⁴Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.

⁵Then sent Sanvalat [strength] his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;

⁶Wherein [was] written, It is reported among the heathen, and Geshemu [rain] says [it, that] youi and the Y’hudim (Judeans) think to rebel: for which cause youi build the wall, that youi may be their king, according to these words.

⁷And youi have also appointed prophets to preach of youi at Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace], saying, [There is] a king in Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised]: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.

⁸Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as youi say, but youi pretend them out of youi own heart.

⁹For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, [O God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered]], strengthen my hands.

¹⁰Afterward I came unto the house of Sh’may’yah [Yehovah hears] the son of D’layahu [Yehovah has accomplished] the son of M’heitav’el [Favoured of God], who [was] shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay youi; yes, in the night will they come to slay youi.

¹¹And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who [is there], that, [being] as I [am], would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.

¹²And, lo, I perceived that God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Toviyah [Yehovah is good] and Sanvalat [strength] had hired him.

¹³Therefore [was] he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and [that] they might have [matter] for an evil report, that they might reproach (disgrace; shame) me.

¹⁴My God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], think youi upon Toviyah [Yehovah is good] and Sanvalat [strength] according to these their works, and on the prophetess No’adyah [meeting with Yehovah], and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.

¹⁵So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth [day] of [the month] Elul, in fifty and two days.

¹⁶And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard [thereof], and all the heathen that [were] about us saw [these things], they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered].

¹⁷Moreover in those days the nobles of Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised] sent many letters unto Toviyah [Yehovah is good], and [the letters] of Toviyah [Yehovah is good] came unto them.

¹⁸For [there were] many in Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised] sworn unto him, because he [was] the son in law of Sh’khanyah [dweller with Yehovah] the son of Arach [traveller]; and his son Yochanan [Yehovah has graced] had taken the daughter of Meshulam [friend] the son of Berekhyah [Yehovah blesses].

¹⁹Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. [And] Toviyah [Yehovah is good] sent letters to put me in fear.

¹Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] were appointed,

²That I gave my brother Hanani [gracious], and Hananyah [God has favoured] the ruler of the palace, charge over Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace]: for he [was] a faithful man, and feared God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] above many.

³And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace] be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar [them]: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace], everyone in his watch, and every one [to be] over against his house.

⁴Now the city [was] large and great: but the people [were] few in it, and the houses [were] not built.

⁵And my God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] put into my heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written in it,

⁶These [are] the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom N’vukhadnetzar [May Nebo protect the crown] the king of Bavel (to jumble, or a confused medley of sounds; confusion; gate of the deity) (Babylon) [confusion] had carried away, and came again to Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace] and to Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised], every one unto his city;

⁷Who came with Z’rubavel [sown in Babylon], Yeshua [he is saved], Nechemyah [God comforts], ‘Azaryah [Yehovah has helped], Ra’amyah [thunder of Yehovah], Nachamani [merciful], Mordekhai [little man], Bilshan [in slander], Misperet [number], Bigvai [in my bodies], N’chum [comfort], Ba’anah [in affliction]. The number, [I say], of the men of the people of Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God] [was this];

⁸The children of Par’osh [flea], two thousand an hundred seventy and two.

⁹The children of Sh’fatyah [Yehovah has judged], three hundred seventy and two.

¹⁰The children of Arach [traveller], six hundred fifty and two.

¹¹The children of Pachat-Mo’av [pit of Mo’av], of the children of Yeshua [he is saved] and Yo’av [Yehovah is father], two thousand and eight hundred [and] eighteen.

¹²The children of ‘Eilam [eternity], a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

¹³The children of Zatu [brightness of him], eight hundred forty and five.

¹⁴The children of Zakkai [pure], seven hundred and threescore.

¹⁵The children of Binui [built up], six hundred forty and eight.

¹⁶The children of Bevai [my cavities], six hundred twenty and eight.

¹⁷The children of ‘Azgad [Gad is mighty], two thousand three hundred twenty and two.

¹⁸The children of Adonikam [my lord arose], six hundred threescore and seven.

¹⁹The children of Bigvai [in my bodies], two thousand threescore and seven.

²⁰The children of ‘Adin [delicate], six hundred fifty and five.

²¹The children of Ater [binder] of Hizkiyahu [Yehovah is my strength], ninety and eight.

²²The children of Hashum [rich], three hundred twenty and eight.

²³The children of Betzai [conqueror], three hundred twenty and four.

²⁴The children of Harif [a plucking off], an hundred and twelve.

²⁵The children of Giv’on [Hill City], ninety and five.

²⁶The men of Beit-Lechem [House of Bread] and N’tofah [dropping], an hundred eighty and eight.

²⁷The men of ‘Anatot [answers to prayer], an hundred twenty and eight.

²⁸The men of Beit-’Azmavet [house of the strength of death], forty and two.

²⁹The men of Kiryat-Ye’arim [City of Forests], K’firah [Lioness], and B’erot [Wells], seven hundred forty and three.

³⁰The men of Ramah [Hill] and Geva [hill], six hundred twenty and one.

³¹The men of Mikhmas [hidden], an hundred and twenty and two.

³²The men of Beit-El [House of God] and ‘Ai [Heap of Ruins], an hundred twenty and three.

³³The men of the other Nevo [Prophet], fifty and two.

³⁴The children of the other ‘Eilam [eternity], a thousand two hundred fifty and four.

³⁵The children of Harim [dedicated], three hundred and twenty.

³⁶The children of Yericho [Its Moon], three hundred forty and five.

³⁷The children of Lod [travail], Hadid [sharp], and Ono [vigorous], seven hundred twenty and one.

³⁸The children of S’na’ah [thorny], three thousand nine hundred and thirty.

³⁹The priests: the children of Y’da’yah [Yehovah has known], of the house of Yeshua [he is saved], nine hundred seventy and three.

⁴⁰The children of Immer [he has said], a thousand fifty and two.

⁴¹The children of Pash’chur [freedom], a thousand two hundred forty and seven.

⁴²The children of Harim [dedicated], a thousand and seventeen.

⁴³The Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to]: the children of Yeshua [he is saved], of Kadmi’el [God is the ancient one], [and] of the children of Hodvah [praise of Yehovah], seventy and four.

⁴⁴The singers: the children of Asaf [gatherer], an hundred forty and eight.

⁴⁵The porters: the children of Shalum [retribution], the children of Ater [binder], the children of Talmon [oppressor], the children of ‘Akuv [insidious], the children of Hatita [exploring], the children of Shovai [glorious], an hundred thirty and eight.

⁴⁶The temple servants: the children of Tzicha [parched], the children of Hasufa [stipped], the children of Taba’ot [rings],

⁴⁷The children of Keros [anklet], the children of Si’a [departing], the children of Padon [ransom],

⁴⁸The children of L’vanah [moon-white], the children of Hagava [locust], the children of Salmai [my garments],

⁴⁹The children of Hanan [he is merciful], the children of Giddel [very great], the children of Gachar [hiding place],

⁵⁰The children of Re’ayah [Yehovah has seen], the children of Retzin [firm], the children of N’koda [distinguished],

⁵¹The children of Gazam [devouring], the children of ‘Uza [strength], the children of Paseach [limper],

⁵²The children of Besai [my treading], the children of Me’unim [habitations], the children of N’fish’sim [refreshed of spices],

⁵³The children of Bakbuk [bottle], the children of Hakufa [bent], the children of Harhur [inflammation],

⁵⁴The children of Batzlit [asking], the children of M’chida [famour, or noble], the children of Harsha [mute],

⁵⁵The children of Barkos [the son cut off], the children of Sisra [Battle Array (to put on; to clothe)], the children of Temach [laughter],

⁵⁶The children of N’tziach [pre-eminent], the children of Hatifa [seized].

⁵⁷The children of Shlomo’s (Solomon) [peace] servants: the children of Sotai [changeful], the children of HaSoferet [writing], the children of P’rida [grain],

⁵⁸The children of Ya’lah [ascending], the children of Darkon [scatterer], the children of Giddel [very great],

⁵⁹The children of Sh’fatyah [Yehovah has judged], the children of Hatil [doubtful], the children of Pokheret-Hatzvayim [here is the cutting off], the children of ‘Amon [master workman].

⁶⁰All the temple servants, and the children of Shlomo’s (Solomon) [peace] servants, [were] three hundred ninety and two.

⁶¹And these [were] they which went up [also] from Tel-Melach [mound of salt], Tel-Harsha [mound of the deaf mute], K’ruv [blessing], Adon [powerful], and Immer [he has said]: but they could not show their father’s house, nor their seed, whether they [were] of Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God].

⁶²The children of D’layahu [Yehovah has accomplished], the children of Toviyah [Yehovah is good], the children of N’koda [distinguished], six hundred forty and two.

⁶³And of the priests: the children of Havayah [Yehovah has hidden], the children of Hakotz [thorn], the children of Barzillai [my iron], which took [one] of the daughters of Barzillai [my iron] the Gil’adi [Hill of Testimony] to wife, and was called after their name.

⁶⁴These sought their register [among] those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.

⁶⁵And the Tirshata [governor] said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood [up] a priest with Urim [Lights] and Tumim [Perfection].

⁶⁶The whole congregation together [was] forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,

⁶⁷Beside their manservants and their maidservants, of whom [there were] seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and they had two hundred forty and five singing men and singing women.

⁶⁸Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules, two hundred forty and five:

⁶⁹[Their] camels, four hundred thirty and five: six thousand seven hundred and twenty asses.

⁷⁰And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshata [governor] gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests’ garments.

⁷¹And [some] of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver.

⁷²And [that] which the rest of the people gave [was] twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests’ garments.

⁷³So the priests, and the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], and the porters, and the singers, and [some] of the people, and the temple servants, and all Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God], dwelt in their cities; and when the seventh month came, the people of Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God] [were] in their cities.

¹And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that [was] before the water gate; and they spoke unto ‘the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moshe [He Who Draws Out Of The Waters], which the LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) had commanded to Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God].

²And ‘the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month.

³And he read in it before the street that [was] before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people [were attentive] unto the book of the law.

⁴And ‘the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattityah [gift of Yehovah], and Sh’ma [Hear], and ‘Anayah [Yehovah has answered], and Uriyah [Yehovah is my flame], and Hilkiyahu [my portion is Yehovah], and Ma’aseiyah [work of Yehovah], on his right hand; and on his left hand, P’dayah [Yehovah has ransomed], and Misha’el [Who is what God is], and Malkiyah [my king is Yehovah], and Hashum [rich], and Hashbadanah [considerate judge], Z’kharyah [Yehovah remembers], [and] Meshulam [friend].

⁵And ‘opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up:

⁶And ‘Blessed (Favored by God; happy; prosperous) the LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate), the great God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered]. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) with [their] faces to the ground.

⁷Also Yeshua [he is saved], and Bani [built], and Sherevyah [Yehovah has scorched], Yamin [Right Hand], ‘Akuv [insidious], Shabtai [sabbatical], Hodiyah [my majesty is Yehovah], Ma’aseiyah [work of Yehovah], K’lita [crippled], ‘Azaryah [Yehovah has helped], Yozavad [Yehovah has endowed], Hanan [he is merciful], P’layah [Yehovah does wonders], and the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], caused the people to understand the law: and the people [stood] in their place.

⁸So they read in the book in the law of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused [them] to understand the reading.

⁹And Nechemyah [God comforts], which [is] the Tirshata [governor], and ‘the priest the scribe, and the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day [is] holy unto the LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) your God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered]; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

¹⁰Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for [this] day [is] holy unto our Lord: neither be you2f sorry; for the joy of the LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) is your strength.

¹¹So the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day [is] holy; neither be you2f grieved.

¹²And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great gladness, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.

¹³And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], unto ‘the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.

¹⁴And they found written in the law which the LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) had commanded by Moshe [He Who Draws Out Of The Waters], that the people of Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God] should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month:

¹⁵And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace], saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as [it is] written.

¹⁶So the people went forth, and brought [them], and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Efrayim [Doubly Fruitful].

¹⁷And all the congregation of them that were come again out of the captivity made booths, and sat under the booths: for since the days of Yeshua [he is saved] the son of Nun [Posterity] unto that day had not the people of Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God] done so. And there was very great gladness.

¹⁸Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered]. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day [was] a solemn assembly, according unto the manner.

¹Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the people of Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God] were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.

²And the seed of Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God] separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.

³And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) their God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] [one] fourth part of the day; and [another] fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) their God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered].

⁴Then stood up upon the stairs, of the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], Yeshua [he is saved], and Bani [built], Kadmi’el [God is the ancient one], Sh’vanyah [increased by Yehovah], Buni [built], Sherevyah [Yehovah has scorched], Bani [built], [and] K’nani [my station], and cried with a loud voice unto the LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) their God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered].

⁵Then the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], Yeshua [he is saved], and Kadmi’el [God is the ancient one], Bani [built], Hashavn’yah [whom Yehovah regards], Sherevyah [Yehovah has scorched], Hodiyah [my majesty is Yehovah], Sh’vanyah [increased by Yehovah], [and] P’tachyah [freed by Yehovah], said, Stand up [and] bless the LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) your God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] forever and ever: and Blessed (Favored by God; happy; prosperous) be youi glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

⁶youi, [even] youi, [are] LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) alone; youi have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all [things] that [are] in it, the seas, and all that [is] in it, and youi preserve them all; and the army of heaven worships youi.

⁷youi [are] the LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) the God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], who did choose Abram, and brought him forth out of Ur of the Kasdim [clod-breakers] [clod-breakers], and gave him the name of Avraham [Exalted Father];

⁸And found his heart faithful before youi, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Kena’ani [Merchant], the Hitti [Terrorists], the Emori [Highlanders], and the P’rizi [Dwellers in Unwalled Towns], and the Y’vusi [Threshers, Trampled Under Foot], and the Girgashi [Dwelling on Clay Soil], to give [it, I say], to his seed, and have performed youi words; for youi [are] righteous:

⁹And did see the affliction of our fathers in Mitzrayim [Egypt - The Narrow Place], and heard their cry by the Red sea;

¹⁰And showed signs and wonders upon Par’oh [Pharaoh - Great House], and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for youi knew that they dealt proudly against them. So did youi get yourselfi a name, as [it is] this day.

¹¹And youi did divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors youi threw into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.

¹²Moreover youi led them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go.

¹³youi came down also upon mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven, and gave them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:

¹⁴And made known unto them youi holy Shabbat [Rest], and commanded them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moshe [He Who Draws Out Of The Waters] youi servant:

¹⁵And gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, and brought forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promised them that they should go in to possess the land which youi had sworn to give them.

¹⁶But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and listened not to youi commandments,

¹⁷And refused to obey, neither were mindful of youi wonders that youi did among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but youi [are] a God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsook them not.

¹⁸Yes, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This [is] youi God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] that brought youi up out of Mitzrayim [Egypt - The Narrow Place], and had wrought great provocations;

¹⁹Yet youi in youri manifold mercies forsook them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to show them light, and the way wherein they should go.

²⁰youi gave also youri good spirit to instruct them, and withheld not youri manna from their mouth, and gave them water for their thirst.

²¹Yes, forty years did youi sustain them in the wilderness, [so that] they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.

²²Moreover youi gave them kingdoms and nations, and did divide them into corners: so they possessed the land of Sichon [Warrior], and the land of the king of Heshbon [Stronghold], and the land of ‘Og [Long-necked] king of Bashan [Fruitful].

²³Their children also multiplied youi as the stars of heaven, and brought them into the land, concerning which youi had promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess [it].

²⁴So the children went in and possessed the land, and youi subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Kena’ani [Merchant], and gave them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would.

²⁵And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells excavated, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in youi great goodness.

²⁶Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against youi, and cast youi law behind their backs, and killed youi prophets which testified against them to turn them to youi, and they wrought great provocations.

²⁷Therefore youi delivered them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto youi, youi heard [them] from heaven; and according to youi manifold mercies youi gave them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.

²⁸But after they had rest, they did evil again before youi: therefore left youi them in the hand of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto youi, youi heard [them] from heaven; and many times did youi deliver them according to youi mercies;

²⁹And testified against them, that youi might bring them again unto youi law: yet they dealt proudly, and listened not unto youi commandments, but sinned against youi judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.

³⁰Yet many years did youi refrain (restrain; refrein from acting) them, and testified against them by youi spirit in youi prophets: yet would they not give ear: therefore gave youi them into the hand of the people of the lands.

³¹Nevertheless for youi great mercies’ sake youi did not utterly consume them, nor forsake them; for youi [are] a gracious and merciful God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered].

³²Now therefore, our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], the great, the mighty, and the terrible God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], who keeps covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before youi, that has come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all youi people, since the time of the kings of Ashur [the level plain] (the land of the sons of Shem (name, renown (great reputation; being well-known))) unto this day.

³³However youi [are] just in all that is brought upon us; for youi have done right, but we have done wickedly:

³⁴Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept youi law, nor listened unto youi commandments and youi testimonies, which youi did testify against them.

³⁵For they have not served youi in their kingdom, and in youi great goodness that youi gave them, and in the large and fat land which youi gave before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.

³⁶Behold, we [are] servants this day, and [for] the land that youi gave unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we [are] servants in it:

³⁷And it yielded much increase unto the kings whom youi have set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we [are] in great distress.

³⁸And because of all this we make a sure [covenant], and write [it]; and our princes, Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], [and] priests, seal [unto it].

¹Now those that sealed [were], Nechemyah [God comforts], the Tirshata [governor], the son of Hakhalyah [whom Yehovah enlightens], and Tzedekyah [Yehovah is righteous],

²S’rayah [Yehovah is ruler], ‘Azaryah [Yehovah has helped], Yirmeyahu [whom Yehovah has appointed],

³Pash’chur [freedom], Amaryah [Yehovah speaks], Malkiyah [my king is Yehovah],

⁴Hatush [assembled], Sh’vanyah [increased by Yehovah], Malukh [counselor],

⁵Harim [dedicated], M’remot [elevations], ‘Ovadyah [servant of Yehovah],

⁶Dani’el [God is Judge], Ginton [gardener], Barukh [Blessed (Favored by God; happy; prosperous)],

⁷Meshulam [friend], Aviyah [Yehovah is (my) father], Minyamin [from the right hand],

⁸Ma’azyah [consolation of Yehovah], Bilgai [my cheerfulness], Sh’may’yah [Yehovah hears]: these [were] the priests.

⁹And the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to]: both Yeshua [he is saved] the son of Azanyah [Yehovah hears], Binui [built up] of the sons of Henadad [favour of Hadad], Kadmi’el [God is the ancient one];

¹⁰And their brethren, Sh’vanyah [increased by Yehovah], Hodiyah [my majesty is Yehovah], K’lita [crippled], P’layah [Yehovah does wonders], Hanan [he is merciful],

¹¹Mikha [who is like God?], Rechov [Broad Place], Hashavyah [Yehovah has considered],

¹²Zakur [Mindful], Sherevyah [Yehovah has scorched], Sh’vanyah [increased by Yehovah],

¹³Hodiyah [my majesty is Yehovah], Bani [built], B’ninu [our son].

¹⁴The chief of the people; Par’osh [flea], Pachat-Mo’av [pit of Mo’av], ‘Eilam [eternity], Zatu [brightness of him], Bani [built],

¹⁵Buni [built], ‘Azgad [Gad is mighty], Bevai [my cavities],

¹⁶Adoniyah [my lord is Yehovah], Bigvai [in my bodies], ‘Adin [delicate],

¹⁷Ater [binder], Hizkiyah [Yehovah is my strength], ‘Azur [he that assists],

¹⁸Hodiyah [my majesty is Yehovah], Hashum [rich], Betzai [conqueror],

¹⁹Harif [a plucking off], ‘Anatot [answers to prayer], Neivai [fruitful],

²⁰Magpi’ash [moth-killer], Meshulam [friend], Hezir [swine],

²¹Mesheizav’el [God delivers], Tzadok [righteous], Yadua [knowing],

²²P’latyahu [Yehovah delivers], Hanan [he is merciful], ‘Anayah [Yehovah has answered],

²³Hoshea [salvation], Hananyah [God has favoured], Hashuv [considerate],

²⁴HaLochesh [whisperer], Pilcha [slicing], Shovek [free],

²⁵Rechum [compassion], Hashavnah [Yehovah has considered], Ma’aseiyah [work of Yehovah],

²⁶And Achiyah [brother of Yehovah], Hanan [he is merciful], Anan,

²⁷Malukh [counselor], Harim [dedicated], Ba’anah [in affliction].

²⁸And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], the porters, the singers, the temple servants, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;

²⁹They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered]’s law, which was given by Moshe [He Who Draws Out Of The Waters] the servant of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) our Lord-Adon [Lord of the Earth], and his judgments and his statutes;

³⁰And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons:

³¹And [if] the people of the land bring ware or any victuals (food for humans) on the Shabbat [Rest] day to sell, [that] we would not buy it of them on the Shabbat [Rest], or on the holy day: and [that] we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.

³²Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered];

³³For the showbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the Shabbat, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy [things], and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God], and [for] all the work of the house of our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered].

³⁴And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], and the people, for the wood offering, to bring [it] into the house of our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], as [it is] written in the law:

³⁵And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate):

³⁶Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as [it is] written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], unto the priests that minister in the house of our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered]:

³⁷And [that] we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered]; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], that the same Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

³⁸And the priest the son of Aharon [Bright, Very High] shall be with the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], when the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] take tithes: and the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], to the chambers, into the treasure house.

³⁹For the people of Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God] and the children of Levi (Levite) [Adhesion, Joiner] shall bring the offering of the corn, of the New Wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where [are] the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered].

¹And the rulers of the people dwelt at Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace]: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace] the holy city, and nine parts [to dwell] in [other] cities.

²And the people Blessed (Favored by God; happy; prosperous) all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace].

³Now these [are] the chief of the province that dwelt in Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace]: but in the cities of Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised] dwelt everyone in his possession in their cities, [that is to say], Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God], the priests, and the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], and the temple servants, and the children of Shlomo’s (Solomon) [peace] servants.

⁴And at Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace] dwelt [certain] of the children of Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised], and of the children of Binyamin [Son of the Right Hand/Strength]. Of the children of Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised]; ‘Atayah [Yehovah has helped] the son of ‘Uziyah [my strength is Yehovah], the son of Z’kharyah [Yehovah remembers], the son of Amaryah [Yehovah speaks], the son of Sh’fatyah [Yehovah has judged], the son of Mahalal’el [praise of God], of the children of Peretz [breach (breaking forth; a break; opening, inlet)];

⁵And Ma’aseiyah [work of Yehovah] the son of Barukh [Blessed (Favored by God; happy; prosperous)], the son of Kol-Hozah [all-seeing], the son of Hazayah [God has seen], the son of ‘Adayah [Yehovah has adorned Himself], the son of Yoyariv [Yehovah contends], the son of Z’kharyah [Yehovah remembers], the son of Shiloni [peace bringer].

⁶All the sons of Peretz [breach (breaking forth; a break; opening, inlet)] that dwelt at Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace] [were] four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.

⁷And these [are] the sons of Binyamin [Son of the Right Hand/Strength]; Salu [weighed] the son of Meshulam [friend], the son of Yo’ed [Yehovah is witness], the son of P’dayah [Yehovah has ransomed], the son of Kolayah [voice of Yehovah], the son of Ma’aseiyah [work of Yehovah], the son of Iti’el [God is with me], the son of Yesha’yah [Yehovah has saved].

⁸And after him Gabai [my back], Salai [weighted], nine hundred twenty and eight.

⁹And Yo’el [Yehovah is God] the son of Zikhri [Illustrious] [was] their overseer: and Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised] the son of Senuah [was] second over the city.

¹⁰Of the priests: Y’da’yah [Yehovah has known] the son of Yoyariv [Yehovah contends], Yakhin [He will establish].

¹¹S’rayah [Yehovah is ruler] the son of Hilkiyahu [my portion is Yehovah], the son of Meshulam [friend], the son of Tzadok [righteous], the son of M’rayot [rebellious], the son of Achituv [my brother is good], [was] the ruler of the house of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered].

¹²And their brethren that did the work of the house [were] eight hundred twenty and two: and ‘Adayah [Yehovah has adorned Himself] the son of Yerocham [showing pity], the son of P’lalyah [Yehovah has judged], the son of Amtzi [my strength], the son of Z’kharyah [Yehovah remembers], the son of Pash’chur [freedom], the son of Malkiyah [my king is Yehovah],

¹³And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and ‘Amash’sai [burdensome] the son of ‘Azar’el [God has helped], the son of Achzai [my holder, protector], the son of Meshillemot [recompense], the son of Immer [he has said],

¹⁴And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer [was] Zavdi’el [God is my endowment], the son of [one of] the great men.

¹⁵Also of the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to]: Sh’may’yah [Yehovah hears] the son of Hashuv [considerate], the son of ‘Azrikam [help against the enemy], the son of Hashavyah [Yehovah has considered], the son of Buni [built];

¹⁶And Shabtai [sabbatical] and Yozavad [Yehovah has endowed], of the chief of the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], [had] the oversight of the outward business of the house of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered].

¹⁷And Matanyah [gift of Yehovah] the son of Mikha [who is like God?], the son of Zavdi [Endowment], the son of Asaf [gatherer], [was] the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukyah [wasting of Yehovah] the second among his brethren, and ‘Avda [servant of Yehovah] the son of Shamua [Renowned], the son of Galal [influential], the son of Y’dutun [praising].

¹⁸All the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] in the holy city [were] two hundred eighty and four.

¹⁹Moreover the porters, ‘Akuv [insidious], Talmon [oppressor], and their brethren that kept the gates, [were] an hundred seventy and two.

²⁰And the residue (part that remains, the rest) of Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God], of the priests, [and] the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], [were] in all the cities of Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised], everyone in his inheritance.

²¹But the temple servants dwelt in ‘Ofel [hill]: and Tzicha [parched] and Gishpa [caress] [were] over the temple servants.

²²The overseer also of the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] at Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace] [was] ‘Uzi [strong] the son of Bani [built], the son of Hashavyah [Yehovah has considered], the son of Matanyah [gift of Yehovah], the son of Mikha [who is like God?]. Of the sons of Asaf [gatherer], the singers [were] over the business of the house of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered].

²³For [it was] the king’s commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.

²⁴And P’tachyah [freed by Yehovah] the son of Mesheizav’el [God delivers], of the children of Zerach [Rising] the son of Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised], [was] at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people.

²⁵And for the villages, with their fields, [some] of the children of Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised] dwelt at Kiryat-Arba [City of Arba (four)], and [in] the villages thereof, and at Divon [Wasting], and [in] the villages thereof, and at Y’kabze’el [God gathers], and [in] the villages thereof,

²⁶And at Yeshua [he is saved], and at Moladah [Birth or Race], and at Beit-Pelet [house of escape],

²⁷And at Hatzar-Shu’al [Jackal Village], and at Be’er-sheva [Well of the sevenfold Oath], and [in] the villages thereof,

²⁸And at Ziklag [Winding], and at M’khonah [foundation], and in the villages thereof,

²⁹And at ‘Ein-Rimmon [fount of the pomegranate], and at Tzar’ah [hornet], and at Yarmut [Heights],

³⁰Zanoach [Cast Off], ‘Adulam [Justice of the People], and [in] their villages, at Lakhish [Invincible], and the fields thereof, at ‘Azekah [Dug Over], and [in] the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Be’er-sheva [Well of the sevenfold Oath] unto the valley of Hinnom [Lamentation].

³¹The children also of Binyamin [Son of the Right Hand/Strength] from Geva [hill] [dwelt] at Mikhmas [hidden], and ‘Ayah [heap of ruins], and Beit-El [House of God], and [in] their villages,

³²[And] at ‘Anatot [answers to prayer], Nov [high place], ‘Ananyah [Yehovah clouds],

³³Hatzor [Castle], Ramah [Hill], Gittayim [two winepresses],

³⁴Hadid [sharp], Tzvoyim [Gazelles], N’valat [hidden folly],

³⁵Lod [travail], and Ono [vigorous], the valley of craftsmen.

³⁶And of the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] [were] divisions [in] Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised], [and] in Binyamin [Son of the Right Hand/Strength].

¹Now these [are] the priests and the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] that went up with Z’rubavel [sown in Babylon] the son of Sh’alti’el [I have asked of God], and Yeshua [he is saved]: S’rayah [Yehovah is ruler], Yirmeyahu [whom Yehovah has appointed], ‘Ezra,

²Amaryah [Yehovah speaks], Malukh [counselor], Hatush [assembled],

³Sh’khanyah [dweller with Yehovah], Rechum [compassion], M’remot [elevations],

⁴‘Iddo [His witness], Gintoi [gardener], Aviyah [Yehovah is (my) father],

⁵Miyamin [from the right hand], Ma’adiyah [adorned of Yah], Bilgah [cheerfulness],

⁶Sh’may’yah [Yehovah hears], and Yoyariv [Yehovah contends], Y’da’yah [Yehovah has known],

⁷Salu [weighed], ‘Amok [to be deep], Hilkiyahu [my portion is Yehovah], Y’da’yah [Yehovah has known]. These [were] the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Yeshua [he is saved].

⁸Moreover the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to]: Yeshua [he is saved], Binui [built up], Kadmi’el [God is the ancient one], Sherevyah [Yehovah has scorched], Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised], [and] Matanyah [gift of Yehovah], [which was] over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.

⁹Also Bakbukyah [wasting of Yehovah] and ‘Uni [afflicted], their brethren, [were] over against them in the watches.

¹⁰And Yeshua [he is saved] begat (to be father of; be ancestor of) Yoyakim [Yehovah raises up], Yoyakim [Yehovah raises up] also begat (to be father of; be ancestor of) Elyashiv [God restores], and Elyashiv [God restores] begat (to be father of; be ancestor of) Yoyada [Yehovah knows],

¹¹And Yoyada [Yehovah knows] begat (to be father of; be ancestor of) Y’honatan [Yehovah has Given], and Y’honatan [Yehovah has Given] begat (to be father of; be ancestor of) Yadua [knowing].

¹²And in the days of Yoyakim [Yehovah raises up] were priests, the chief of the fathers: of S’rayah [Yehovah is ruler], M’rayah [rebellion]; of Yirmeyahu [whom Yehovah has appointed], Hananyah [God has favoured];

¹³Of ‘Ezra, Meshulam [friend]; of Amaryah [Yehovah speaks], Y’hochanan [Yehovah has graced];

¹⁴Of M’likhu [counselor], Y’honatan [Yehovah has Given]; of Sh’vanyah [increased by Yehovah], Yosef [(God) He Shall Add];

¹⁵Of Harim [dedicated], ‘Adna [rest, or pleasure]; of M’rayot [rebellious], Helkai [my portion is Yehovah];

¹⁶Of ‘Iddo [His witness], Z’kharyah [Yehovah remembers]; of Ginton [gardener], Meshulam [friend];

¹⁷Of Aviyah [Yehovah is (my) father], Zikhri [Illustrious]; of Minyamin [from the right hand], of Mo’adyah [the set tome of Yah], Piltai [my deliverances];

¹⁸Of Bilgah [cheerfulness], Shamua [Renowned]; of Sh’may’yah [Yehovah hears], Y’honatan [Yehovah has given];

¹⁹And of Yoyariv [Yehovah contends], Matnai [gift of Yehovah]; of Y’da’yah [Yehovah has known], ‘Uzi [strong];

²⁰Of Salai [weighted], Kallai [swift]; of ‘Amok [to be deep], ‘Ever [The Region Beyond];

²¹Of Hilkiyahu [my portion is Yehovah], Hashavyah [Yehovah has considered]; of Y’da’yah [Yehovah has known], N’tan’el [God’s Gift].

²²The Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] in the days of Elyashiv [God restores], Yoyada [Yehovah knows], and Yochanan [Yehovah has graced], and Yadua [knowing], [were] recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Daryavesh (Darius) [lord] the Persian.

²³The sons of Levi (Levite) [Adhesion, Joiner], the chief of the fathers, [were] written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Yochanan [Yehovah has graced] the son of Elyashiv [God restores].

²⁴And the chief of the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to]: Hashavyah [Yehovah has considered], Sherevyah [Yehovah has scorched], and Yeshua [he is saved] the son of Kadmi’el [God is the ancient one], with their brethren over against them, to praise [and] to give thanks, according to the commandment of David [beloved] the man of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], ward (in custody, with a guard; prison) over against ward (in custody, with a guard; prison).

²⁵Matanyah [gift of Yehovah], and Bakbukyah [wasting of Yehovah], ‘Ovadyah [servant of Yehovah], Meshulam [friend], Talmon [oppressor], ‘Akuv [insidious], [were] porters keeping the ward (in custody, with a guard; prison) at the thresholds of the gates.

²⁶These [were] in the days of Yoyakim [Yehovah raises up] the son of Yeshua [he is saved], the son of Yotzadak [Yehovah is righteous], and in the days of Nechemyah [God comforts] the governor, and of ‘the priest, the scribe.

²⁷And at the dedication of the wall of Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace] they sought the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] out of all their places, to bring them to Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace], to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, [with] cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.

²⁸And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace], and from the villages of N’tofati [dropping];

²⁹Also from the house of Gilgal [A Wheel, Rolling], and out of the fields of Geva [hill] and ‘Azmavet [strong unto death]: for the singers had built them villages round about Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace].

³⁰And the priests and the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

³¹Then I brought up the princes of Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised] upon the wall, and appointed two great [companies of them that gave] thanks, [whereof one] went on the right hand upon the wall to (to do entirely, do wholly) ward (in custody, with a guard; prison) the dung gate:

³²And after them went Hosha’yah [Yehovah as saved], and half of the princes of Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised],

³³And ‘Azaryah [Yehovah has helped], ‘Ezra, and Meshulam [friend],

³⁴Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised], and Binyamin [Son of the Right Hand/Strength], and Sh’may’yah [Yehovah hears], and Yirmeyahu [whom Yehovah has appointed],

³⁵And [certain] of the priests’ sons with trumpets; [namely], Z’kharyah [Yehovah remembers] the son of Y’honatan [Yehovah has Given], the son of Sh’may’yah [Yehovah hears], the son of Matanyah [gift of Yehovah], the son of Mikhayah [who is like God?], the son of Zakur [Mindful], the son of Asaf [gatherer]:

³⁶And his brethren, Sh’may’yah [Yehovah hears], and ‘Azar’el [God has helped], Milalai [eloquent], Gilalai [weighty], Ma’ai [compassionate], N’tan’el [God’s Gift], and Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised], Hanani [gracious], with the musical instruments of David [beloved] the man of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], and ‘the scribe before them.

³⁷And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David [beloved], at the going up of the wall, above the house of David [beloved], even unto the water gate eastward.

³⁸And the other [company of them that gave] thanks went over against [them], and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall;

³⁹And from above the gate of Efrayim [Doubly Fruitful], and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hanan’el [God has favoured], and the tower of Me’ah [hundred], even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.

⁴⁰So stood the two [companies of them that gave] thanks in the house of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], and I, and the half of the rulers with me:

⁴¹And the priests; Elyakim [God sets up], Ma’aseiyah [work of Yehovah], Minyamin [from the right hand], Mikhayah [who is like God?], Elyo’eina [unto Yehovah are my eyes], Z’kharyah [Yehovah remembers], [and] Hananyah [God has favoured], with trumpets;

⁴²And Ma’aseiyah [work of Yehovah], and Sh’may’yah [Yehovah hears], and El’azar [God has helped], and ‘Uzi [strong], and Y’hochanan [Yehovah has graced], and Malkiyah [my king is Yehovah], and ‘Eilam [eternity], and ‘Ezer [treasure]. And the singers sang loud, with Yizarchyah [Yehovah will shine] [their] overseer.

⁴³Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace] was heard even afar off.

⁴⁴And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to]: for Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised] rejoiced for the priests and for the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] that waited.

⁴⁵And both the singers and the porters kept the ward (in custody, with a guard; prison) of their God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], and the ward (in custody, with a guard; prison) of the purification, according to the commandment of David [beloved], [and] of Shlomo (Solomon) [peace] his son.

⁴⁶For in the days of David [beloved] and Asaf [gatherer] of old [there were] chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered].

⁴⁷And all Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God] in the days of Z’rubavel [sown in Babylon], and in the days of Nechemyah [God comforts], gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified [holy things] unto the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to]; and the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] sanctified [them] unto the children of Aharon [Bright, Very High].

¹On that day they read in the book of Moshe [He Who Draws Out Of The Waters] in the audience of the people; and in it was found written, that the ‘Amoni [tribal] and the Mo’avi [from father: what father?] should not come into the congregation of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] forever;

²Because they met not the people of Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God] with bread and with water, but hired Bil’am [Not of the People] against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] turned the curse into a blessing.

³Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God] all the mixed multitude.

⁴And before this, Elyashiv [God restores] the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], [was] allied unto Toviyah [Yehovah is good]:

⁵And 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 Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.

⁶But in all this [time] was not I at Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace]: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artach’shashta [I will make the spoiled to boil: I will stir myself (in) winter] king of Bavel (to jumble, or a confused medley of sounds; confusion; gate of the deity) (Babylon) [confusion] came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:

⁷And I came to Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace], and understood of the evil that Elyashiv [God restores] did for Toviyah [Yehovah is good], in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered].

⁸And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Toviyah [Yehovah is good] out of the chamber.

⁹Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and there brought I again the vessels of the house of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], with the meat offering and the frankincense.

¹⁰And I perceived that the portions of the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] had not been given [them]: for the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] and the singers, that did the work, were fled everyone to his field.

¹¹Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

¹²Then brought all Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised] the tithe of the corn and the New Wine and the oil unto the treasuries.

¹³And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemyah [repaid by Yehovah] [repaid by Yehovah] the priest, and Tzadok [righteous] the scribe, and of the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], P’dayah [Yehovah has ransomed]: and next to them [was] Hanan [he is merciful] the son of Zakur [Mindful], the son of Matanyah [gift of Yehovah]: for they were counted faithful, and their office [was] to distribute unto their brethren.

¹⁴Remember me, O my God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], and for the offices thereof.

¹⁵In those days saw I in Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised] [some] treading wine presses on the Shabbat [Rest], and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all [manner of] burdens, which they brought into Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace] on the Shabbat [Rest] day: and I testified [against them] in the day wherein they sold victuals (food for humans).

¹⁶There dwelt men of Tzor (Tyre) [a rock] also in it, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the Shabbat [Rest] unto the children of Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised], and in Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace].

¹⁷Then I contended with the nobles of Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised], and said unto them, What evil thing [is] this that you2f do, and Profane (treat as common; defile) the Shabbat [Rest] day?

¹⁸Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet you2f bring more wrath upon Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God] by profaning the Shabbat [Rest].

¹⁹And it came to pass, that when the gates of Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace] began to be dark before the Shabbat [Rest], I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the Shabbat [Rest]: and [some] of my servants set I at the gates, [that] there should no burden be brought in on the Shabbat [Rest] day.

²⁰So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Yerushalayim [Foundation of Peace] once or twice.

²¹Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge you2f about the wall? if you2f do [so] again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no [more] on the Shabbat [Rest].

²²And I commanded the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to] that they should cleanse themselves, and [that] they should come [and] keep the gates, to sanctify (make holy; set apart for God’s use) the Shabbat [Rest] day. Remember me, O my God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], [concerning] this also, and spare me according to the greatness of youi mercy.

²³In those days also saw I Y’hudim (Judeans) [that] had married wives of Ashdod [powerful], of ‘Amon [Inbred], [and] of Mo’av [Seed of my Father]:

²⁴And their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod [powerful], and could not speak in the Y’hudit (Y’hudim (Judeans)) language, but according to the language of each people.

²⁵And I contended with them, and cursed them, and struck certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], [saying], You2f shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.

²⁶Did not Shlomo (Solomon) [peace] king of Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God] sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], and God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] made him king over all Yisra’el [He Holds Onto The Heel Of God]: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.

²⁷Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] in marrying strange wives?

²⁸And [one] of the sons of Yoyada [Yehovah knows], the son of Elyashiv [God restores] the High Priest, [was] son in law to Sanvalat [strength] the Horoni [native of twin caves]: therefore I chased him from me.

²⁹Remember them, O my God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to].

³⁰Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levi’im (Levites) [Joined to], everyone in his business;

³¹And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God-Elōhīm (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], for good.

TovRose

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