On that day theyread in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was foundwritten, that the Ammonite and the Moabiteshould not comeinto the congregation of God for ever;
Becausethey met not the children of Israelwithbread and withwater, but hiredBalaamagainstthem, that he shouldcursethem: howbeit our God turned the curseinto a blessing.
And he had prepared for him a greatchamber, whereaforetimetheylaid the meatofferings, 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 Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
But in all thistime was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtiethyear of Artaxerxesking of Babyloncame I unto the king, and aftercertaindaysobtained I leave of the king:
Then I commanded, and theycleansed the chambers: and thitherbrought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meatoffering and the frankincense.
And I perceivedthat the portions of the Levites had not beengiventhem: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, werefledevery one to his field.
And I madetreasurersover the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for theywerecountedfaithful, and theiroffice was to distributeuntotheirbrethren.
In thosedays saw I in Judahsometreadingwinepresses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and ladingasses; as alsowine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, whichtheybroughtintoJerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testifiedagainstthem in the day whereintheysoldvictuals.
And it came to pass, thatwhen the gates of Jerusalembegan to be darkbefore the sabbath, I commandedthat the gatesshould be shut, and chargedthattheyshould not be openedtillafter the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, thatthereshould no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.
Then I testifiedagainstthem, and saiduntothem, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. Fromthattimeforthcamethey no more on the sabbath.
And I commanded the Levitesthattheyshouldcleansethemselves, and thattheyshouldcome and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerningthisalso, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
And I contendedwiththem, and cursedthem, and smotecertain of them, and plucked off theirhair, and madethemswear by God, saying, Ye shall not giveyourdaughtersuntotheirsons, nor taketheirdaughtersuntoyoursons, or for yourselves.
Did not Solomonking of Israel sin by thesethings? yet amongmanynations was there no kinglike him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him kingover all Israel: neverthelesseven him did outlandishwomencause to sin.