Divrei-HamYamim Alef (1 Ch) 25

1 For the service, David and the army commanders selected some of the descendants of Asaf, of Heman and of Y’dutun to prophesy with lyres, lutes and cymbals. The list of those doing this work, according to the type of work performed was:

2 Of the descendants of Asaf: Zakur, Yosef, N’tanyah and Asar’elah; the sons of Asaf were with Asaf, who prophesied according to the direction of the king.

3 Of Y’dutun, the descendants of Y’dutun: G’dalyahu, Tzeri, Yesha‘yahu, Hashavyahu, Mattityahu — six, with their father Y’dutun, who, accompanied by the lyre, prophesied thanks and praise toAdonai.

4 Of Heman, the sons of Heman: Bukiyahu, Mattanyahu, ‘Uzi’el, Sh’vu’el, Yerimot, Hananyah, Hanani, Eli’atah, Gidalti, Romamti-‘ezer, Yoshb’kashah, Maloti, Hotir and Machzi’ot;

5 all these sons of Heman, the king’s seer in matters pertaining to God, were there to exalt [God]. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

6 They were all with their fathers Asaf, Y’dutun and Heman to sing with cymbals, lutes and lyres in the house ofAdonai, serving in the house of God under the direction of the king.

7 Their number, together with their kinsmen who had been instructed in singing toAdonai, was 288, all well trained.

8 Whether great or small, teacher ortalmid, they cast lots for their term of duty.

9 The first lot for Asaf fell to Yosef,

the second to G’dalyah; he, his brothers and his sons numbered twelve;

10 the third to Zakur, his sons and brothers, twelve;

11 the fourth to Izri, his sons and brothers, twelve;

12 the fifth to N’tanyahu, his sons and brothers, twelve;

13 the sixth to Bukiyahu, his sons and brothers, twelve;

14 the seventh to Y’sar’elah, his sons and brothers, twelve;

15 the eighth to Yesha‘yahu, his sons and brothers, twelve;

16 the ninth to Mattanyahu, his sons and brothers, twelve;

17 the tenth to Shim‘i, his sons and brothers, twelve;

18 the eleventh to ‘Azar’el, his sons and brothers, twelve;

19 the twelfth to Hashavyah, his sons and brothers, twelve;

20 the thirteenth to Shuva’el, his sons and brothers, twelve;

21 the fourteenth to Mattityahu, his sons and brothers, twelve;

22 the fifteenth to Yeremot, his sons and brothers, twelve;

23 the sixteenth to Hananyahu, his sons and brothers, twelve;

24 the seventeenth to Yoshb’kashah, his sons and brothers, twelve;

25 the eighteenth to Hanani, his sons and brothers, twelve;

26 the nineteenth to Maloti, his sons and brothers, twelve;

27 the twentieth to Eli’atah, his sons and brothers, twelve;

28 the twenty-first to Hotir, his sons and brothers, twelve;

29 the twenty-second to Gidalti, his sons and brothers, twelve;

30 the twenty-third to Machzi’ot, his sons and brothers, twelve; and

31 the twenty-fourth to Romamti-‘ezer, his sons and brothers, twelve.

Divrei-HamYamim Alef (1 Ch) 26

1 The divisions of the gatekeepers:

Of the Korchim: Meshelemyahu the son of Kore, of the descendants of Asaf.

2 Meshelemyahu had sons: Z’kharyahu the firstborn, Y’dia‘el the second, Z’vadyahu the third, Yatni’el the fourth,

3 ‘Eilam the fifth, Y’hochanan the sixth and Ely’ho‘einai the seventh.

4 ‘Oved-Edom had sons: Sh’ma‘yah the firstborn, Y’hozavad the second son,

Yo’ach the third, Sakhar the fourth, N’tan’el the fifth,

5 ‘Ammi’el the sixth, Yissakhar the seventh, and Pe‘ultai the eighth; for God blessed him.

6 To his son Sh’ma‘yah were born sons who ruled over their father’s clan, because they were strong, brave men.

7 The sons of Sh’ma‘yah: ‘Otni, Refa’el and his brothers ‘Oved and Elzavad, valiant men; also Elihu and S’makhyahu.

8 These were all from the sons of ‘Oved-Edom, they and their sons and brothers, men of ability and strength for service, sixty-two from ‘Oved-Edom.

9 Meshelemyahu had sons and brothers, valiant men, eighteen.

10 Hosah, from the descendants of M’rari, had sons: Shimri the chief, for although he was not the firstborn, nevertheless his father made him the chief;

11 Hilkiyahu the second, T’valyahu the third and Z’kharyahu the fourth; all the sons and brothers of Hosah were thirteen.

12 These divisions of the gatekeepers, under their chief men, had duties, just as their kinsmen did, serving in the house ofAdonai.

13 Great or small, they cast lots according to their clans for every gate.

14 The lot for the east gate fell to Shelemyahu. Then they cast lots for his son Z’kharyahu, a sensible adviser, and he was allotted the north gate.

15 ‘Oved-Edom was allotted the south gate and his sons the storehouse.

16 Shupim and Hosah were allotted the west gate and the Shallekhet Gate at the highway that goes up, with corresponding guards.

17 For the east there were sixL’vi’im, for the north four a day, for the south four a day, for the Storehouse two and two,

18 while for the courtyard to the west there were four at the highway and two at the courtyard itself.

19 These were the divisions of the gatekeepers, consisting of descendants of the Korchim and descendants of M’rari.

20 Of theL’vi’im, Achiyah was responsible for the stores in the house of God and the stores of holy articles.

21 The sons of La‘dan, the descendants of the Gershuni belonging to La‘dan, the heads of clans belonging to La‘dan the Gershuni: Yechi’eli;

22 and the sons of Yechi’eli: Zetam and Yo’el his brother, over the stores in the house ofAdonai.

23 Of the ‘Amrami, of the Yitz’hari, of the Hevroni, of the ‘Uzi’eli,

24 Sh’vu’el the descendant of Gershom, the son of Moshe, was in charge of the stores.

25 His kinsmen: from Eli‘ezer: Rechavyahu his son, Yesha‘yahu his son, Yoram his son, Zikhri his son and Shlomit his son.

26 This Shlomit and his kinsmen were in charge of all the stores of the dedicated things that David the king, the clan heads, the captains over thousands and hundreds and the commanders of the army had dedicated.

27 From the spoil won in wars they had dedicated these things to repair the house ofAdonai.

28 Also included was all that Sh’mu’el the seer, Sha’ul the son of Kish, Avner the son of Ner and Yo’av the son of Tz’ruyah had dedicated. In short, if anyone had dedicated anything, Shlomit and his brothers were in charge of it.

29 Of the Yitz’hari: K’nanyahu and his sons were assigned to be over Isra’el in regard to outside business as officers and judges.

30 Of the Hevroni: Hashavyah and his kinsmen, 1,700 valiant men, had the oversight of Isra’el west of the Yarden in regard to all the business ofAdonaiand the service of the king.

31 Yeriyah was chief of the Hevroni according to their generations by clans. In the fortieth year of David’s reign the Hevroni were sought out, and there were found among them strong, brave men at Ya‘zer in Gil‘ad.

32 King David appointed 2,700 of his kinsmen, valiant men and clan leaders, as overseers over the Re’uveni, the Gadi and the half-tribe of the M’nashi for every matter pertaining to God and for the affairs of the king.

Divrei-HamYamim Alef (1 Ch) 27

1 The people of Isra’el, registered according to their clan leaders, were drafted for army duty under captains of thousands and of hundreds, and officers serving the king, in divisions of 24,000 each, for month-long terms of duty covering all the months of the year.

2 Over the first division, for the first month, was Yashov‘am the son of Zavdi’el; there were 24,000 in his division.

3 He was from the descendants of Peretz and was in charge of all the army captains during the first month.

4 Over the division for the second month was Dodai the Achochi; Miklot was the chief officer of his division; there were 24,000 in his division.

5 The third army commander, for the third month, was B’nayah the son of Y’hoyada the chiefcohen; there were 24,000 in his division.

6 This is the same B’nayah who was one of the thirty heroes and was over the thirty; his son ‘Ammizavad was in his division.

7 The fourth commander, for the fourth month, was ‘Asah’el the brother of Yo’av, with Z’vadyah his son after him; there were 24,000 in his division.

8 The fifth commander, for the fifth month, was Shamhut from Yizrach; there were 24,000 in his division.

9 The sixth commander, for the sixth month, was ‘Ira the son of ‘Ikesh from T’koa; there were 24,000 in his division.

10 The seventh commander, for the seventh month, was Heletz the P’loni, from the descendants of Efrayim; there were 24,000 in his division.

11 The eighth commander, for the eighth month, was Sibkhai the Hushati, from the Zarchi; there were 24,000 in his division.

12 The ninth commander, for the ninth month, was Avi‘ezer from ‘Anatot, from the Ben-Y’mini; there were 24,000 in his division.

13 The tenth commander, for the tenth month, was Mahrai, the N’tofati, from the Zarchi; there were 24,000 in his division.

14 The eleventh commander, for the eleventh month, was B’nayah from Pir‘aton, from the descendants of Efrayim; there were 24,000 in his division.

15 The twelfth commander, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the N’tofati, from ‘Otni’el; there were 24,000 in his division.

16 Over the the tribes of Isra’el:

leader of the Re’uveni: Eli‘ezer the son of Zikhri;

of the Shim‘oni: Sh’fatyah the son of Ma‘akhah;

17 of Levi: Hashavyah the son of K’mu’el;

of Aharon: Tzadok;

18 of Y’hudah: Elihu, one of David’s brothers;

of Yissakhar: ‘Omri the son of Mikha’el;

19 of Z’vulun: Yishma‘yahu the son of ‘Ovadyah;

of Naftali: Yerimot the son of ‘Azri’el;

20 of the descendants of Efrayim: Hoshea the son of ‘Azazyahu;

of the half-tribe of M’nasheh: Yo’el the son of P’dayah;

21 of the half-tribe of M’nasheh in Gil‘ad: Yiddo the son of Z’kharyahu;

of Binyamin: Ya‘asi’el the son of Avner;

22 of Dan: ‘Azar’el the son of Yerocham.

These were the commanders of the tribes of Isra’el.

23 But David did not include in the registration those twenty years old or less, becauseAdonaihad said he would increase Isra’el’s numbers like the stars in the sky.

24 Yo’av the son of Tz’ruyah began a census of these, but he did not finish, and wrath came upon Isra’el because of this; moreover the number was not entered into the Annals of King David.

25 In charge of the king’s supplies was ‘Azmavet the son of ‘Adi’el. In charge of the supplies in the countryside, the cities, the villages and the fortresses was Y’honatan the son of ‘Uziyahu.

26 In charge of farmers working the land was ‘Ezri the son of K’luv.

27 In charge of the vineyards was Shim‘i the Ramati, while Zavdi the Shifmi was responsible for the produce from the vineyards for the wine-cellars.

28 In charge of the olive and sycamore-fig trees in the Sh’felah was Ba‘al-Hanan from G’derah, while Yo’ash was put over the storehouses for olive oil.

29 In charge of the herds of livestock feeding in the Sharon was Shirtai from the Sharon, while Shafat the son of Adlai was put over herds in the valleys.

30 Ovil the Yishma‘eli was put over the camels, Yechd’yahu the Meronoti over the donkeys

31 and Yaziz the Hagri over the flocks [of sheep and goats]. All of these were responsible for King David’s property.

32 Y’honatan David’s uncle was an adviser, a man of understanding and a secretary. Yechi’el the son of Hachmoni took care of the king’s sons.

33 Achitofel was an adviser to the king. Hushai the Archi was the king’s confidant;

34 and after Achitofel were Y’hoyada the son of B’nayah and Evyatar. Yo’av was commander of the king’s army.

Divrei-HamYamim Alef (1 Ch) 28

1 David assembled in Yerushalayim all the leaders of Isra’el — the leaders of the tribes, the commanders of the divisions serving the king, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and the supervisors over the property and livestock of the king, along with his sons, the officials, the warrior-heroes, and anyone else who was a leader.

2 Then David the king rose to his feet and said: “My kinsmen and my people! Listen to me! I set my heart on building a house where the ark for the covenant ofAdonaicould remain at rest. It would have been God’s footstool, and I prepared to build it.

3 But God said to me, ‘You are not to build a house for my name, because you are a man of war, you have shed blood.’

4 However,Adonaithe God of Isra’el chose me out of my father’s whole family to be king over Isra’el forever; for he chose Y’hudah to be the leader; and in the house of Y’hudah, in the house of my father, and among the sons of my father, it was his pleasure to make me king over all Isra’el;

5 and of all my sons — forAdonaihas given me many sons — he has chosen Shlomo my son to sit on the throne of the kingdom ofAdonaiover Isra’el.

6 “Moreover, he said to me, ‘Shlomo your son will build my house and courtyards, for I have chosen him to be a son to me, and I will be a father to him.

7 I will establish his kingdom forever, if he uses his strength to obey mymitzvotand abide by my rulings, as [he is doing] currently.’

8 Now therefore, in the sight of all Isra’el, the community ofAdonai, and in the hearing of our God, observe and seek out all themitzvotofAdonaiyour God, so that you may continue to possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants after you forever.

9 “As for you, Shlomo my son, know the God of your father. Serve him wholeheartedly and with desire in your being; forAdonaisearches all hearts and understands all the inclinations of people’s thoughts. If you seek him, he will let himself be found by you; but if you abandon him, he will reject you forever.

10 See now thatAdonaihas chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; so be strong, and do it!”

11 Then David gave Shlomo his son the designs for the hall [of the temple], its buildings, its supply areas, its upper rooms, its inside rooms, and the place for the ark-cover;

12 also the designs for everything he had been given by the Spirit — for the courtyards of the house ofAdonai, for all the rooms surrounding it, for the storehouses in the house of God, for the storehouses for the holy articles,

13 and for the areas set aside for thecohanimand theL’vi’im; [arrangements] for the work involved in the service of the house ofAdonaiand for all the articles needed for the service of the house ofAdonai;

14 [lists] of the weights of gold needed for the gold items to be used for various purposes, and the weights of silver needed for the silver items to be used for various purposes —

15 the weight of the gold needed for the goldmenorahs, the weight needed for eachmenorahand for its lamps; and for themenorahs of silver, the weight of silver needed for eachmenorahand for its lamps, according to the way eachmenorahwas to be used;

16 also the gold by weight for the tables for the showbread, for each table; and silver for the tables made of silver;

17 the gold for the pure gold forks, basins and jars, and for the gold bowls by weight for each bowl; also for the silver bowls by weight for each bowl;

18 and for the incense altar, refined gold by weight; and gold for the design of the chariot and thek’ruvimwith their wings spread out to cover the ark for the covenant ofAdonai.

19 “All this is in writing, asAdonai, with his hand on me, has given me good sense in working out these detailed plans.”

20 Then David said to Shlomo his son, “Be strong, be bold, and do it! Don’t be afraid or become discouraged! ForAdonai, God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or abandon you until all the work for the service in the house ofAdonaihas been finished.

21 See, there are the divisions of thecohanimandL’vi’imfor all the service in the house of God. For every kind of work, you will have with you every man who is willing and skilled, for every kind of service. Also the captains and all the people will be completely at your disposal.”

Divrei-HamYamim Alef (1 Ch) 29

1 To the whole community, David the king said, “Shlomo my son is the only one God has chosen. But he is still young and inexperienced, whereas the work to be done is great; because the palace is not for anyone human, but forAdonai, God.

2 Now I have used all my strength to prepare for the house of my God the gold needed for the articles of gold, the silver for the articles of silver, the bronze for the articles of bronze, the iron for the articles of iron, the wood for the articles of wood, onyx stones, gemstones to be set, brilliant stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, as well as marble in abundance.

3 In addition, because my desire is set on the house of my God, since I have my own supply of gold and silver, I herewith give it to the house of my God — over and above everything I have prepared for the holy house —

4 ninety-nine tons of gold from the gold of Ofir and 231 tons of refined silver to be used for overlaying the walls of the houses.

5 The gold is for whatever is to be made of gold, and the silver is for whatever is to be made of silver; and they may be used for anything to be made by craftsmen. Therefore, who offers willingly to consecrate himself today toAdonai?”

6 Then the clan leaders, the leaders of the tribes of Isra’el, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, along with the supervisors over the king’s work offered willingly.

7 They gave for the service of the house of God 165 tons of gold, 330 tons of silver, 594 tons of bronze and 3,300 tons of iron.

8 Those who had precious stones gave them to the storehouse of the house ofAdonai, supervised by Yechi’el the Gershuni.

9 The people were filled with joy, because they had given willingly — wholeheartedly they had given willingly toAdonai; and David the king too was completely filled with joy,

10 as he blessedAdonaibefore the entire community: “Blessed be you,Adonai, the God of Isra’el our father, forever and ever.

11 Yours,Adonai, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory and the majesty; for everything in heaven and on earth is yours. The kingdom is yours,Adonai; and you are exalted as head over all.

12 Riches and honor come from you, you rule everything, in your hand is power and strength, you have the capacity to make great and to give strength to all.

13 Therefore, our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name.

14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to give so willingly in this way? For all things come from you, so that we have given you what is already yours.

15 For in your presence we are temporary residents, just passing through, as all our ancestors were — our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.

16 Adonaiour God, all these supplies that we have prepared in order to build you a house for your holy name come from your own hand, all of it is already yours.

17 I know also, my God, that you test the heart and take pleasure in integrity. As for myself, I have given all these things willingly, in the integrity of my heart; and now, with joy, I have seen your people who are present here give willingly to you.

18 Adonai, God of Avraham, Yitz’chak and Isra’el our ancestors, guard forever the inclinations of the thoughts in the hearts of your people; direct their hearts to you;

19 and give to Shlomo my son wholeheartedness to obey yourmitzvot, instructions and rules, to do all these things, and to build the palace for which I have made provision.”

20 Then David said to all the community, “Now blessAdonaiyour God.” All the community blessedAdonai, the God of their ancestors, bowing their heads and prostrating themselves beforeAdonaiand before the king.

21 On the following day they presented sacrifices toAdonaiand offered burnt offerings toAdonai— a thousand bulls, a thousand rams and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings — and sacrifices in abundance for all Isra’el.

22 They ate and drank beforeAdonaithat day with great joy.

Then, for the second time, they made Shlomo the son of David king, anointing him beforeAdonaito be king, and Tzadok to becohen.

23 Shlomo sat on the throne ofAdonaias king in place of David his father and prospered, and all Isra’el obeyed him.

24 All the leaders, the warrior-heroes and likewise the sons of King David submitted themselves to Shlomo the king.

25 Adonaigave Shlomo exceedingly great power, in full view of all Isra’el, and bestowed on him royal majesty such as had not been seen on any king before him in Isra’el.

26 Now David the son of Yishai ruled over all Isra’el.

27 The duration of his reign over Isra’el was forty years; he reigned seven years in Hevron, and he reigned thirty-three years in Yerushalayim.

28 Then he died, at a ripe old age, full of years, riches and honor; and Shlomo his son reigned in his place.

29 The activities of David the king, from first to last, are written in the records of Sh’mu’el the seer, Natan the prophet and Gad the seer,

30 with all his reign and his power, and the events that he, Isra’el and the kingdoms of other countries experienced.

Nechemyah (Neh) 1

1 The words of Nechemyah the son of Hakhalyah:

It was in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the capital,

2 that Hanani, one of my kinsmen, came out of Y’hudah with some men; and I asked them about the remnant of Judeans who had escaped the exile, and about Yerushalayim.

3 They answered me, “The remnant of the exile left there in the province are in great distress and are held in contempt, the wall of Yerushalayim is in ruins, and its gates have been completely burned up.”

4 On hearing this answer, I sat down and wept; I mourned for several days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

5 I said, “Please,Adonai! God of heaven! You great and fearsome God, who keeps his covenant and extends grace to those who love him and observe hismitzvot!

6 Let your ear now be attentive and your eyes be open, so that you will listen to the prayer of your servant, which I am praying before you these days, day and night, for the people of Isra’el your servants — even as I confess the sins of the people of Isra’el that we have committed against you. Yes, I and my father’s house have sinned.

7 We have deeply offended you. We haven’t observed themitzvot, laws or rulings you ordered your servant Moshe.

8 Remember, please, the word you gave through your servant Moshe, ‘If you break faith, I will scatter you among the peoples;

9 but if you return to me, observe mymitzvotand obey them, then, even if your scattered ones are in the most distant part of heaven, nevertheless, I will collect them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen for bearing my name.’

10 Now these are your servants, your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and strong hand.

11 Adonai, please, let your ear now be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who take joy in fearing your name: please let your servant succeed today and win this man’s compassion” — for I was the king’s personal attendant.

Nechemyah (Neh) 2

1 In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of Artach’shashta the king, it happened that I took the wine and brought it to the king. Prior to then I had never appeared sad in his presence.

2 The king asked, “Why do you look so sad? You’re not sick, so this must be some deep inner grief.” At this, I became very fearful,

3 as I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why shouldn’t I look sad, when the city, the place where my ancestors’ tombs are, lies in ruins; and its gates are completely burned up?”

4 The king asked me, “What is it that you want?” I prayed to the God of heaven,

5 then said to the king, “If it pleases the king, if your servant has won your favor, send me to Y’hudah, to the city of my ancestors’ tombs, so that I can rebuild it.”

6 With the queen sitting next to him, the king asked me, “How long is your trip going to take? When will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I gave him a time.

7 I then said to the king, “If it pleases the king, have letters given to me for the governors of the territory beyond the [Euphrates] River, so that they will let me pass through until I reach Y’hudah;

8 and also a letter for Asaf the supervisor of the royal forests, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress belonging to the house, for the city wall and for the house I will be occupying.” The king gave me these, according to the good hand of my God on me.

9 I went to the governors of the territory beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. The king had sent with me an escort of army captains and cavalry.

10 When Sanvalat the Horoni and Toviyah the servant, the ‘Amoni, heard about this, they were very displeased that someone had come to promote the welfare of the people of Isra’el.

11 So I reached Yerushalayim. After I had been there for three days,

12 I got up during the night, I and a few men with me. I hadn’t told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Yerushalayim; and I didn’t take any animal with me except the animal on which I was riding.

13 I went out by night through the Valley Gate, to the Dragon’s Well and the Dung Gate, and inspected the places where the walls of Yerushalayim were broken down and where its gates had been burned down.

14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal under me to pass.

15 So I went up the valley in the dark and went on inspecting the wall; then I turned back, entered through the Valley Gate and returned,

16 without the officials’ knowing where I had gone or what I had done. Till then, I hadn’t said anything about this to the Judeans,cohanim, nobles, officials or anyone who would be responsible for the work.

17 Afterwards, I said to them, “You see what a sad state we are in, how Yerushalayim lies in ruins, with it gates burned up. Come, let’s rebuild the wall of Yerushalayim, so that we won’t continue in disgrace.”

18 I also told them of the gracious hand of my God that had been on me, also what the king had said to me. They said, “Let’s start building at once,” and energetically set out to do this good work.

19 When Sanvalat the Horoni, Toviyah the servant, the ‘Amoni, and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they began mocking us and jeering, “What is this you are doing? Are you going to rebel against the king?”

20 But I answered them: “The God of heaven will enable us to succeed. Therefore we his servants will set about rebuilding. But you have no share, right or history to commemorate in Yerushalayim.”

Nechemyah (Neh) 3

1 Then Elyashiv thecohen hagadolset out with his fellowcohanim, and they rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set up its doors; they consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred and on to the Tower of Hanan’el.

2 Next to him the men from Yericho built. Next to him Zakur the son of Imri built.

3 The sons of Hasna’ah rebuilt the Fish Gate; they installed its timber framework and set up its doors, along with its bolts and bars.

4 Next to them M’remot the son of Uriyah, the son of Hakotz, made repairs. Next to them Meshulam the son of Berekhyah, the son of Mesheizav’el, made repairs. Next to them Tzadok the son of Ba‘ana made repairs.

5 Next to them the men from T’koa made repairs; but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord.

6 Yoyada the son of Paseach and Meshulam the son of B’sodyah made repairs to the Old City Gate; they installed its timber framework and set up its doors, along with its bolts and bars.

7 Next to them M’latyah the Giv‘oni, Yadon the Meronoti and the men from Giv‘on and Mitzpah made repairs; they worked for the people associated with the governor of the territory beyond the [Euphrates] River.

8 Next to them ‘Uzi’el the son of Harhayah, goldsmiths, made repairs.

Next to him Hananyah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs; they renovated Yerushalayim as far as the Broad Wall.

9 Next to them Refayah the son of Hur, leader of half the district of Yerushalayim, made repairs.

10 Next to him Y’dayah the son of Harumaf made repairs opposite his own house. Next to him Hatush the son of Hashavn’yah made repairs.

11 Malkiyah the son of Harim and Hashuv the son of Pachat-Mo’av made repairs on another section and on the Tower of the Ovens.

12 Next to him Shalum the son of HaLochesh, leader of half the district of Yerushalayim, he and his daughters, made repairs.

13 Hanun and the people living in Zanoach repaired the Valley Gate; they rebuilt it and set up its doors, along with its bolts and bars; and they rebuilt 1,500 feet of the wall, as far as the Dung Gate.

14 Malkiyah the son of Rechav, leader of the district of Beit-Hakerem, repaired the Dung Gate; he rebuilt it and set up its doors, along with its bolts and bars.

15 Shalun the son of Kol-Hozeh, leader of the district of Mitzpah, repaired the Fountain Gate; he rebuilt it, covered it and set up its doors, along with its bolts and bars; he also rebuilt the wall of the Pool of Shelach, by the royal garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the City of David.

16 After him Nechemyah the son of Azbuk, leader of half the district of Beit-Tzur, made repairs from the place opposite the tombs of David as far as the artificial pool and the soldiers’ barracks.

17 After him theL’vi’immade repairs: Rechum the son of Bani; next to him Hashavyah, leader of half the district of Ke‘ilah, made repairs for his district.

18 After him their colleagues, Bavai the son of Henadad, leader of half the district of Ke‘ilah, made repairs.

19 Next to him ‘Ezer the son of Yeshua, leader of Mitzpah, made repairs on another section, opposite the ascent to the armory at the Angle.

20 After him Barukh the son of Zakkai worked diligently making repairs on another section, from the Angle to the door of the house of Elyashiv thecohen hagadol.

21 After him M’remot the son of Uriyah made repairs on another section, from the door of the house of Elyashiv to the end of the house of Elyashiv.

22 After him thecohanimfrom the plain made repairs.

23 After them Binyamin and Hashuv made repairs opposite their house. After them ‘Azaryah the son of Ma‘aseiyah, the son of ‘Ananyah, made repairs next to his house.

24 After him Binui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of ‘Azaryah to the Angle and to the Corner.

25 Palal the son of Uzai made repairs opposite the Angle and the tower that projects out from the upper part of the royal palace near the Courtyard of the Guard.

After him P’dayah the son of Par‘osh made repairs

26 (since the temple servants were living in the ‘Ofel) as far as opposite the Water Gate to the east and the tower that projects out.

27 After him the men from T’koa repaired another section, opposite the great tower that projects out and on to the wall of the ‘Ofel.

28 Above the Horse Gate thecohanimmade repairs, each one opposite his own house.

29 After them Tzadok the son of Immer made repairs opposite his house. After him Sh’ma‘yah the son of Sh’khanyah, the keeper of the East Gate, made repairs.

30 After him Hananyah the son of Shelemyah and Hanun the sixth son of Tzalaf made repairs on another section. After him Meshulam the son of Berekhyah made repairs opposite his own room.

31 After him Malkiyah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Mustering Gate and on to the upper room at the corner.

32 Finally, between the upper room at the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs.

33 But when Sanvalat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious. Greatly enraged, he ridiculed the Judeans;

34 before his kinsmen and the army of Shomron he said, “What are these pathetic Judeans doing? Are they going to rebuild anything they want? Are they going to sacrifice? Are they going to finish today? Are they going to recover useful stones from the piles of rubble, burned rubble at that?”

35 Toviyah the ‘Amoni was with him, and he said, “Whatever they’re building, why, if even a fox went up it, he’d knock their stone wall down!”

36 Our God, listen! We are being treated with contempt. Turn back their jeers on their own heads; give them over to be plundered in a land of exile.

37 Don’t cover their guilt, don’t let their sin be wiped out from before you; because they have insulted the builders to their face.

38 So we kept building the wall, which was soon joined together and completed to half its height all the way around; because the people worked with a will.

Nechemyah (Neh) 4

1 But when Sanvalat, Toviyah, the Arabs, the ‘Amonim and the Ashdodim heard that the repairs on the walls of Yerushalayim were going forward, and the breaks were being filled in, they became very angry.

2 All of them together plotted to come and fight against Yerushalayim and thus throw us into confusion.

3 However, we prayed to our God and, because of them, organized a watch against them day and night.

4 Y’hudah was saying, “The strength of the people who carry loads away is starting to fail, and there is so much rubble that we can’t build the wall.”

5 Our enemies were saying, “They won’t know or see anything, until we have already infiltrated them and begun killing them and stopping the work.”

6 And even the Judeans living near them came and must have said to us ten times, “From every place you must come back to us.”

7 So in the lower parts of the space behind the wall, I stationed men according to their families, with their swords, spears and bows.

8 After inspecting them, I stood up and addressed the nobles, leaders and the rest of the people: “Don’t be afraid of them! RememberAdonai, who is great and fearful; and fight for your brothers, sons, daughters, wives and homes.”

9 When our enemies heard that the plot was known to us, and God had foiled their plans, we all returned to the wall, everyone to his work.

10 From then on, half of my men would do the work; and half of them held the spears, shields, bows and armor; while the leaders stood guard behind the entire house of Y’hudah,

11 as they continued building the wall. Those who carried loads held their loads with one hand and carried a weapon in the other.

12 As for the construction-workers, each one had his sword sheathed at his side; that is how they built. The man to sound the alarm on theshofarstayed with me.

13 I said to the nobles, the leaders and the rest of the people, “This is a great work, and it is spread out; we are separated on the wall, one far from another.

14 But wherever you are, when you hear the sound of theshofar, come to that place, to us. Our God will fight for us!”

15 So we kept doing the work. Half of them held spears from daybreak until the stars appeared.

16 Also at that time I told the people, “Let everyone with a servant stay the night within Yerushalayim, so that at night they can be a guard for us, even as they work during the day.”

17 I, my kinsmen, my servants and my bodyguards never took off our clothes, and everyone who went to get water took his weapon.

Nechemyah (Neh) 5

1 Then there arose a great outcry from the common people and their wives against their brothers the [wealthier] Judeans.

2 Some of them said, “Counting our sons and daughters, there are a lot of us! Allow us to get grain for them, so that we can eat and stay alive.”

3 There were also some who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards and homes in order to buy grain, because of the famine.”

4 Yet others said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s taxes against our fields and vineyards.

5 Now our flesh is no different from the flesh of our kinsmen, and our children are the same as their children; yet we are bringing our sons and daughters into bondage as slaves. Some of our daughters have gone into slavery already, and it’s beyond our power to do anything about it, because other men have our fields and vineyards.”

6 When I heard their outcry and the reasons for it, I became very angry.

7 I thought the matter over and then took issue with the nobles and rulers. I charged them, “You are lending against pledges, everyone to his brother”; and I summoned a great assembly to deal with them.

8 I said to them, “We, to the limit of our ability, have redeemed our brothers the Judeans who sold themselves to the pagans. Now you are selling your own brothers, and we will have to buy them back!” They stayed silent; they couldn’t think of anything to say.

9 I also said, “What you are doing is not good! You should be living in fear of our God, so that our pagan enemies won’t have grounds for deriding us.

10 Moreover, my brothers and my servants, I too have loaned them money and grain. Please, let’s stop making it so burdensome to go into debt.

11 Please! Today! Give them back their fields, vineyards, olive groves and homes; also the hundred pieces of silver and the grain, wine and olive oil you demand from them as interest.”

12 They answered, “We will give it back. We will require nothing from them. Yes, we will do it, just as you say.” Then I called thecohanimand took an oath from them that they would do as they had promised.

13 Shaking out the fold in my garment, I said, “May God thus shake every man from his house and from his work who fails to live up to this promise — may he be shaken out like this and made empty.” The whole assembly said, “Amen!” and praisedAdonai; and the people did as they had promised.

14 Besides that, from the time I was appointed their governor in the land of Y’hudah, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of Artach’shashta the king — that is, for twelve years — neither I nor my colleagues drew on the governor’s living allowance.

15 The earlier governors, before me, had burdened the people, taxing them more than one-and-a-half pounds of silvershekels for food and wine; and even their servants lorded it over the people. But I didn’t, because I feared God.

16 Moreover, I put all my energy into working on this wall. We didn’t buy any land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work.

17 There were 150 leaders and other Judeans who ate at my table, besides those who came to us from the surrounding nations.

18 Every day one ox, six choice sheep, and fowl were prepared for me, and every ten days a supply of all kinds of wine. Yet in spite of all this, I never claimed the governor’s allowance, because the people were already bearing the heavy burden of their labor.

19 My God, remember favorably everything I have done for this people!