1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of Elohim forever, 2 because they didn’t meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them: however our Elohim turned the curse into a blessing. 3 It came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. 4 Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the rooms of the house of our Elohim, being allied to Tobiyah, 5 had prepared for him a great room, where before they laid the meal offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the wave offerings for the priests. 6 But in all this, I was not at Yeruwshalaim; for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king: and after certain days asked I leave of the king, 7 and I came to Yeruwshalaim, and understood the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiyah, in preparing him a room in the courts of Elohim’s house. 8 It grieved me severely: therefore I threw all the household stuff of Tobiyah out of the room. 9 Then I commanded, and they cleansed the rooms: and there brought I again the vessels of Elohim’s house, with the meal offerings and the frankincense. 10 I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them; so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, had fled everyone to his field. 11 Then I contended with the rulers, and said, “Why is Elohim’s house forsaken?” I gathered them together, and set them in their place. 12 Then brought all Yehudah the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the treasuries. 13 I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiyah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiyah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniyah; for they were counted faithful, and their business was to distribute to their brothers. 14 Remember me, my Elohim, concerning this, and don’t wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my Elohim, and for its observances. 15 In those days saw I in Yehudah some men treading wine presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all kinds of burdens, which they brought into Yeruwshalaim on the Sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day in which they sold food. 16 There lived men of Tyre also therein, who brought in fish, and all kinds of wares, and sold on the Sabbath to the children of Yehudah, and in Yeruwshalaim. 17 Then I contended with the nobles of Yehudah, and said to them, “What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the Sabbath day? 18 Didn’t your fathers do thus, and didn’t our Elohim bring all this evil on us, and on this city? Yet you bring more wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.”

19 It came to pass that, when the gates of Yeruwshalaim began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath. I set some of my servants over the gates, that no burden should be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 So the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares camped outside of Yeruwshalaim once or twice. 21 Then I testified against them, and said to them, “Why do you stay around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on, they didn’t come on the Sabbath. 22 I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember to me, my Elohim, this also, and spare me according to the greatness of your loving kindness. 23 In those days also saw I the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: 24 and 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. 25 I contended with them, and cursed them, and struck certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by Elohim, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves. 26 Didn’t Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations was there no king like him, and he was beloved of his Elohim, and Elohim made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless foreign women caused even him to sin. 27 Shall we then listen to you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our Elohim in marrying foreign women?”

28 One of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me. 29 Remember them, my Elohim, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. 30 Thus I cleansed them from all foreigners, and appointed duties for the priests and for the Levites, everyone in his work; 31 and for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the first fruits. Remember me, my Elohim, for good.