Nehemiah 13 | Biblion Bible Reader

WEB·Esther 1

¹Now in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned from India even to Ethiopia, over one hundred twenty-seven provinces),

KJVNow it came to pass in the days^H3117 of Ahasuerus^H325,(this is Ahasuerus^H325 which reigned^H4427^(H8802), from India^H1912 even unto Ethiopia^H3568, over an hundred^H3967 and seven^H7651 and twenty^H6242 provinces^H4082:)

² in those days, when the King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Susa the palace,

KJVThat in those days^H3117, when the king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325 sat^H3427^(H8800) on the throne^H3678 of his kingdom^H4438, which was in Shushan^H7800 the palace^H1002,

³ in the third year of his reign, he made a feast for all his princes and his servants; the army of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces being before him.

KJVIn the third^H7969 year^H8141 of his reign^H4427^(H8800), he made^H6213^(H8804) a feast^H4960 unto all his princes^H8269 and his servants^H5650; the power^H2428 of Persia^H6539 and Media^H4074, the nobles^H6579 and princes^H8269 of the provinces^H4082, being before^H6440 him:

⁴ He displayed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even one hundred eighty days.

KJVWhen he shewed^H7200^(H8687) the riches^H6239 of his glorious^H3519 kingdom^H4438 and the honour^H3366 of his excellent^H8597 majesty^H1420 many^H7227 days^H3117, even an hundred^H3967 and fourscore^H8084 days^H3117.

⁵ When these days were fulfilled, the king made a seven day feast for all the people who were present in Susa the palace, both great and small, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.

KJVAnd when these days^H3117 were expired^H4390^(H8800), the king^H4428 made^H6213^(H8804) a feast^H4960 unto all the people^H5971 that were present^H4672^(H8737) in Shushan^H7800 the palace^H1002, both unto great^H1419 and small^H6996, seven^H7651 days^H3117, in the court^H2691 of the garden^H1594 of the king's^H4428 palace^H1055;

⁶ There were hangings of white and blue material, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and marble pillars. The couches were of gold and silver, on a pavement of red, white, yellow, and black marble.

KJVWhere were white^H2353, green^H3768, and blue^H8504, hangings, fastened^H270^(H8803) with cords^H2256 of fine linen^H948 and purple^H713 to silver^H3701 rings^H1550 and pillars^H5982 of marble^H8336: the beds^H4296 were of gold^H2091 and silver^H3701, upon a pavement^H7531 of red^H923, and blue^H8504, and white^H1858, and black^H5508, marble^H8336.

⁷ They gave them drinks in golden vessels of various kinds, including royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king.

KJVAnd they gave them drink^H8248^(H8687) in vessels^H3627 of gold^H2091,(the vessels^H3627 being diverse^H8138^(H8802) one from another^H3627,) and royal^H4438 wine^H3196 in abundance^H7227, according to the state^H3027 of the king^H4428.

⁸ In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had instructed all the officials of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure.

KJVAnd the drinking^H8360 was according to the law^H1881; none did compel^H597^(H8802): for so the king^H4428 had appointed^H3245^(H8765) to all the officers^H7227 of his house^H1004, that they should do^H6213^(H8800) according to every man's^H376 pleasure^H7522.

⁹ Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to King Ahasuerus.

KJVAlso Vashti^H2060 the queen^H4436 made^H6213^(H8804) a feast^H4960 for the women^H802 in the royal^H4438 house^H1004 which belonged to king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325.

¹⁰ On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcass, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king,

KJVOn the seventh^H7637 day^H3117, when the heart^H3820 of the king^H4428 was merry^H2896 with wine^H3196, he commanded^H559^(H8804) Mehuman^H4104, Biztha^H968, Harbona^H2726, Bigtha^H903, and Abagtha^H5, Zethar^H2242, and Carcas^H3752, the seven^H7651 chamberlains^H5631 that served^H8334^(H8764) in the presence^H6440 of Ahasuerus^H325 the king^H4428,

¹¹ to bring Vashti the queen before the king wearing the royal crown, to show the people and the princes her beauty; for she was beautiful.

KJVTo bring^H935^(H8687) Vashti^H2060 the queen^H4436 before^H6440 the king^H4428 with the crown^H3804 royal^H4438, to shew^H7200^(H8687) the people^H5971 and the princes^H8269 her beauty^H3308: for she was fair^H2896 to look on^H4758.

¹² But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by the eunuchs. Therefore the king was very angry, and his anger burned in him.

KJVBut the queen^H4436 Vashti^H2060 refused^H3985^(H8762) to come^H935^(H8800) at the king's^H4428 commandment^H1697 by^H3027 his chamberlains^H5631: therefore was the king^H4428 very^H3966 wroth^H7107^(H8799), and his anger^H2534 burned^H1197^(H8804) in him.

¹³ Then the king said to the wise men, who knew the times (for it was the king’s custom to consult those who knew law and judgment;

KJVThen the king^H4428 said^H559^(H8799) to the wise men^H2450, which knew^H3045^(H8802) the times^H6256,(for so was the king's^H4428 manner^H1697 toward^H6440 all that knew^H3045^(H8802) law^H1881 and judgment^H1779:

¹⁴ and next to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, who saw the king’s face, and sat first in the kingdom),

KJVAnd the next^H7138 unto him was Carshena^H3771, Shethar^H8369, Admatha^H133, Tarshish^H8659, Meres^H4825, Marsena^H4826, and Memucan^H4462, the seven^H7651 princes^H8269 of Persia^H6539 and Media^H4074, which saw^H7200^(H8802) the king's^H4428 face^H6440, and which sat^H3427^(H8802) the first^H7223 in the kingdom^H4438;)

¹⁵ “What shall we do to Queen Vashti according to law, because she has not done the bidding of the King Ahasuerus by the eunuchs?”

KJVWhat shall we do^H6213^(H8800) unto the queen^H4436 Vashti^H2060 according to law^H1881, because she hath not performed^H6213^(H8804) the commandment^H3982 of the king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325 by^H3027 the chamberlains^H5631?

¹⁶ Memucan answered before the king and the princes, “Vashti the queen has not done wrong to just the king, but also to all the princes, and to all the people who are in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus.

KJVAnd Memucan^H4462 answered^H559^(H8799) before^H6440 the king^H4428 and the princes^H8269, Vashti^H2060 the queen^H4436 hath not done wrong^H5753^(H8804) to the king^H4428 only, but also to all the princes^H8269, and to all the people^H5971 that are in all the provinces^H4082 of the king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325.

¹⁷ For this deed of the queen will become known to all women, causing them to show contempt for their husbands when it is reported, ‘King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she didn’t come.’

KJVFor this deed^H1697 of the queen^H4436 shall come abroad^H3318^(H8799) unto all women^H802, so that they shall despise^H959^(H8687) their husbands^H1167 in their eyes^H5869, when it shall be reported^H559^(H8800), The king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325 commanded^H559^(H8804) Vashti^H2060 the queen^H4436 to be brought in^H935^(H8687) before^H6440 him, but she came^H935^(H8804) not.

¹⁸ Today, the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the queen’s deed will tell all the king’s princes. This will cause much contempt and wrath.

KJVLikewise shall the ladies^H8282 of Persia^H6539 and Media^H4074 say^H559^(H8799) this day^H3117 unto all the king's^H4428 princes^H8269, which have heard^H8085^(H8804) of the deed^H1697 of the queen^H4436. Thus shall there arise too much^H1767 contempt^H963 and wrath^H7110.

¹⁹ “If it pleases the king, let a royal commandment go from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, so that it cannot be altered, that Vashti may never again come before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate to another who is better than she.

KJVIf it please^H2895^(H8804) the king^H4428, let there go^H3318^(H8799) a royal^H4438 commandment^H1697 from him^H6440, and let it be written^H3789^(H8735) among the laws^H1881 of the Persians^H6539 and the Medes^H4074, that it be not altered^H5674^(H8799), That Vashti^H2060 come^H935^(H8799) no more before^H6440 king^H4428 Ahasuerus^H325; and let the king^H4428 give^H5414^(H8799) her royal estate^H4438 unto another^H7468 that is better^H2896 than she.

²⁰ When the king’s decree which he shall make is published throughout all his kingdom (for it is great), all the wives will give their husbands honor, both great and small.”

KJVAnd when the king's^H4428 decree^H6599 which he shall make^H6213^(H8799) shall be published^H8085^(H8738) throughout all his empire^H4438,(for it is great^H7227,) all the wives^H802 shall give^H5414^(H8799) to their husbands^H1167 honour^H3366, both to great^H1419 and small^H6996.

²¹ This advice pleased the king and the princes, and the king did according to the word of Memucan:

KJVAnd the saying^H1697 pleased^H3190^(H8799)^H5869 the king^H4428 and the princes^H8269; and the king^H4428 did^H6213^(H8799) according to the word^H1697 of Memucan^H4462:

²² for he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, that every man should rule his own house, speaking in the language of his own people.

KJVFor he sent^H7971^(H8799) letters^H5612 into all the king's^H4428 provinces^H4082, into every province^H4082 according to the writing^H3791 thereof, and to every people^H5971 after their language^H3956, that every man^H376 should bear rule^H8323^(H8802) in his own house^H1004, and that it should be published^H1696^(H8764) according to the language^H3956 of every people^H5971.

WEB·Nehemiah 13

¹On that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and it was found written in it that an Ammonite and a Moabite should not enter into the assembly of God forever,

KJVOn that day^H3117 they read^H7121^(H8738) in the book^H5612 of Moses^H4872 in the audience^H241 of the people^H5971; and therein was found^H4672^(H8738) written^H3789^(H8803), that the Ammonite^H5984 and the Moabite^H4125 should not come^H935^(H8799) into the congregation^H6951 of God^H430 for^H5704 ever^H5769;

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 God turned the curse into a blessing.

KJVBecause they met^H6923^(H8765) not the children^H1121 of Israel^H3478 with bread^H3899 and with water^H4325, but hired^H7936^(H8799) Balaam^H1109 against them, that he should curse^H7043^(H8763) them: howbeit our God^H430 turned^H2015^(H8799) the curse^H7045 into a blessing^H1293.

³ It came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated all the mixed multitude from Israel.

KJVNow it came to pass, when they had heard^H8085^(H8800) the law^H8451, that they separated^H914^(H8686) from Israel^H3478 all the mixed multitude^H6154.

⁴ Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the rooms of the house of our God, being allied to Tobiah,

KJVAnd before^H6440 this, Eliashib^H475 the priest^H3548, having the oversight^H5414^(H8803) of the chamber^H3957 of the house^H1004 of our God^H430, was allied^H7138 unto Tobiah^H2900:

⁵ had prepared for him a great room, where before they laid the meal offerings, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, the singers, and the gatekeepers; and the wave offerings for the priests.

KJVAnd he had prepared^H6213^(H8799) for him a great^H1419 chamber^H3957, where aforetime^H6440 they laid^H5414^(H8802) the meat offerings^H4503, the frankincense^H3828, and the vessels^H3627, and the tithes^H4643 of the corn^H1715, the new wine^H8492, and the oil^H3323, which was commanded^H4687 to be given to the Levites^H3881, and the singers^H7891^(H8789), and the porters^H7778; and the offerings^H8641 of the priests^H3548.

⁶ But in all this, I was not at Jerusalem; for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king; and after some days I asked leave of the king,

KJVBut in all this time was not I at Jerusalem^H3389: for in the two^H8147 and thirtieth^H7970 year^H8141 of Artaxerxes^H783 king^H4428 of Babylon^H894 came^H935^(H8804) I unto the king^H4428, and after^H7093 certain days^H3117 obtained I leave^H7592^(H8738) of the king^H4428:

⁷ and I came to Jerusalem, and understood the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, in preparing him a room in the courts of God’s house.

KJVAnd I came^H935^(H8799) to Jerusalem^H3389, and understood^H995^(H8799) of the evil^H7451 that Eliashib^H475 did^H6213^(H8804) for Tobiah^H2900, in preparing^H6213^(H8800) him a chamber^H5393 in the courts^H2691 of the house^H1004 of God^H430.

⁸ It grieved me severely. Therefore I threw all Tobiah’s household stuff out of the room.

KJVAnd it grieved^H3415^(H8799) me sore^H3966: therefore I cast forth^H7993^(H8686) all the household^H1004 stuff^H3627 of Tobiah^H2900 out of^H2351 the chamber^H3957.

⁹ Then I commanded, and they cleansed the rooms. I brought into them the vessels of God’s house, with the meal offerings and the frankincense again.

KJVThen I commanded^H559^(H8799), and they cleansed^H2891^(H8762) the chambers^H3957: and thither brought I again^H7725^(H8686) the vessels^H3627 of the house^H1004 of God^H430, with the meat offering^H4503 and the frankincense^H3828.

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 each fled to his field.

KJVAnd I perceived^H3045^(H8799) that the portions^H4521 of the Levites^H3881 had not been given^H5414^(H8738) them: for the Levites^H3881 and the singers^H7891^(H8789), that did^H6213^(H8802) the work^H4399, were fled^H1272^(H8799) every one^H376 to his field^H7704.

¹¹ Then I contended with the rulers, and said, “Why is God’s house forsaken?” I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

KJVThen contended^H7378^(H8799) I with the rulers^H5461, and said^H559^(H8799), Why is the house^H1004 of God^H430 forsaken^H5800^(H8738)? And I gathered them together^H6908^(H8762), and set^H5975^(H8686) them in their place^H5977.

¹² Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, the new wine, and the oil to the treasuries.

KJVThen brought^H935^(H8689) all Judah^H3063 the tithe^H4643 of the corn^H1715 and the new wine^H8492 and the oil^H3323 unto the treasuries^H214.

¹³ I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah; for they were counted faithful, and their business was to distribute to their brothers.

KJVAnd I made treasurers^H686^(H8799) over the treasuries^H214, Shelemiah^H8018 the priest^H3548, and Zadok^H6659 the scribe^H5608^(H8802), and of the Levites^H3881, Pedaiah^H6305: and next to them^H3027 was Hanan^H2605 the son^H1121 of Zaccur^H2139, the son^H1121 of Mattaniah^H4983: for they were counted^H2803^(H8738) faithful^H539^(H8737), and their office was to distribute^H2505^(H8800) unto their brethren^H251.

¹⁴ Remember me, my God, concerning this, and don’t wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its observances.

KJVRemember^H2142^(H8798) me, O my God^H430, concerning this, and wipe not out^H4229^(H8686) my good^H2617 deeds that I have done^H6213^(H8804) for the house^H1004 of my God^H430, and for the offices^H4929 thereof.

¹⁵ In those days I saw some men treading wine presses on the Sabbath in Judah, bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day; and I testified against them in the day in which they sold food.

KJVIn those days^H3117 saw^H7200^(H8804) I in Judah^H3063 some treading^H1869^(H8802) wine presses^H1660 on the sabbath^H7676, and bringing in^H935^(H8688) sheaves^H6194, and lading^H6006^(H8802) asses^H2543; as also wine^H3196, grapes^H6025, and figs^H8384, and all manner of burdens^H4853, which they brought^H935^(H8688) into Jerusalem^H3389 on the sabbath^H7676 day^H3117: and I testified^H5749^(H8686) against them in the day^H3117 wherein they sold^H4376^(H8800) victuals^H6718.

¹⁶ Some men of Tyre also lived there, who brought in fish and all kinds of wares, and sold on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.

KJVThere dwelt^H3427^(H8804) men of Tyre^H6876 also therein, which brought^H935^(H8688) fish^H1709^(H8675)^H1709, and all manner of ware^H4377, and sold^H4376^(H8802) on the sabbath^H7676 unto the children^H1121 of Judah^H3063, and in Jerusalem^H3389.

¹⁷ Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, “What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the Sabbath day?

KJVThen I contended^H7378^(H8799) with the nobles^H2715 of Judah^H3063, and said^H559^(H8799) unto them, What evil^H7451 thing^H1697 is this that ye do^H6213^(H8802), and profane^H2490^(H8764) the sabbath^H7676 day^H3117?

¹⁸ Didn’t your fathers do this, and didn’t our God bring all this evil on us and on this city? Yet you bring more wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.”

KJVDid^H6213^(H8804) not your fathers^H1 thus, and did^H935 not our God^H430 bring^H935^(H8686) all this evil^H7451 upon us, and upon this city^H5892? yet ye bring^H935^(H8686) more^H3254^(H8688) wrath^H2740 upon Israel^H3478 by profaning^H2490^(H8763) the sabbath^H7676.

¹⁹ It came to pass that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath. I set some of my servants over the gates, so that no burden should be brought in on the Sabbath day.

KJVAnd it came to pass, that when the gates^H8179 of Jerusalem^H3389 began to be dark^H6751^(H8804) before^H6440 the sabbath^H7676, I commanded^H559^(H8799) that the gates^H1817 should be shut^H5462^(H8735), and charged^H559^(H8799) that they should not be opened^H6605^(H8799) till after^H310 the sabbath^H7676: and some of my servants^H5288 set^H5975^(H8689) I at the gates^H8179, that there should no burden^H4853 be brought in^H935^(H8799) on the sabbath^H7676 day^H3117.

²⁰ So the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares camped outside of Jerusalem once or twice.

KJVSo the merchants^H7402^(H8802) and sellers^H4376^(H8802) of all kind of ware^H4465 lodged^H3885^(H8799) without^H2351 Jerusalem^H3389 once^H6471 or twice^H8147.

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.

KJVThen I testified^H5749^(H8686) against them, and said^H559^(H8799) unto them, Why lodge^H3885^(H8801) ye about^H5048 the wall^H2346? if ye do so again^H8138^(H8799), I will lay^H7971^(H8799) hands^H3027 on you. From that time^H6256 forth came^H935^(H8804) they no more on the sabbath^H7676.

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 me for this also, my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your loving kindness.

KJVAnd I commanded^H559^(H8799) the Levites^H3881 that they should cleanse^H2891^(H8693) themselves, and that they should come^H935^(H8802) and keep^H8104^(H8802) the gates^H8179, to sanctify^H6942^(H8763) the sabbath^H7676 day^H3117. Remember^H2142^(H8798) me, O my God^H430, concerning this also, and spare^H2347^(H8798) me according to the greatness^H7230 of thy mercy^H2617.

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

KJVIn those days^H3117 also saw^H7200^(H8804) I Jews^H3064 that had married^H3427^(H8689) wives^H802 of Ashdod^H796, of Ammon^H5984, and of Moab^H4125:

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.

KJVAnd their children^H1121 spake^H1696^(H8764) half^H2677 in the speech of Ashdod^H797, and could^H5234^(H8688) not speak^H1696^(H8763) in the Jews' language^H3066, but according to the language^H3956 of each^H5971 people^H5971.

²⁵ I contended with them, cursed them, struck certain of them, plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons, or for yourselves.

KJVAnd I contended^H7378^(H8799) with them, and cursed^H7043^(H8762) them, and smote^H5221^(H8686) certain^H582 of them, and plucked off their hair^H4803^(H8799), and made them swear^H7650^(H8686) by God^H430, saying, Ye shall not give^H5414^(H8799) your daughters^H1323 unto their sons^H1121, nor take^H5375^(H8799) their daughters^H1323 unto your sons^H1121, or for yourselves.

²⁶ Didn’t Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, and he was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless foreign women caused even him to sin.

KJVDid not Solomon^H8010 king^H4428 of Israel^H3478 sin^H2398^(H8804) by these things? yet among many^H7227 nations^H1471 was there no king^H4428 like him, who was beloved^H157^(H8803) of his God^H430, and God^H430 made^H5414^(H8799) him king^H4428 over all Israel^H3478: nevertheless even him^H1571 did outlandish^H5237 women^H802 cause to sin^H2398^(H8689).

²⁷ Shall we then listen to you to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God in marrying foreign women?”

KJVShall we then hearken^H8085^(H8799) unto you to do^H6213^(H8800) all this great^H1419 evil^H7451, to transgress^H4603^(H8800) against our God^H430 in marrying^H3427^(H8687) strange^H5237 wives^H802?

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.

KJVAnd one of the sons^H1121 of Joiada^H3111, the son^H1121 of Eliashib^H475 the high^H1419 priest^H3548, was son in law^H2860 to Sanballat^H5571 the Horonite^H2772: therefore I chased^H1272^(H8686) him from me.

²⁹ Remember them, my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites.

KJVRemember^H2142^(H8798) them, O my God^H430, because they have defiled^H1352 the priesthood^H3550, and the covenant^H1285 of the priesthood^H3550, and of the Levites^H3881.

³⁰ Thus I cleansed them from all foreigners and appointed duties for the priests and for the Levites, everyone in his work;

KJVThus cleansed^H2891^(H8765) I them from all strangers^H5236, and appointed^H5975^(H8686) the wards^H4931 of the priests^H3548 and the Levites^H3881, every one^H376 in his business^H4399;

³¹ and for the wood offering, at appointed times, and for the first fruits. Remember me, my God, for good.

KJVAnd for the wood^H6086 offering^H7133, at times^H6256 appointed^H2163^(H8794), and for the firstfruits^H1061. Remember^H2142^(H8798) me, O my God^H430, for good^H2896.

Section titles come from the Biblion commentary, not from Scripture.

You can also read or listen to the Introduction to the book of Nehemiah.