Nehemiah 13:17
◄  Nehemiah 13:17  ►
New International Version (©2011)
I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this wicked thing you are doing--desecrating the Sabbath day?

New Living Translation (©2007)
So I confronted the nobles of Judah. "Why are you profaning the Sabbath in this evil way?" I asked.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Then I confronted the nobles of Judah and said to them, “What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day?

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Then I reprimanded the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this evil thing you are doing, by profaning the sabbath day?

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them: "What is this evil you are doing--profaning the Sabbath day?

International Standard Version (©2012)
I rebuked the officials of Judah, saying to them, "What's this evil thing that you're doing by profaning the Sabbath day?

NET Bible (©2006)
So I registered a complaint with the nobles of Judah, saying to them, "What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day?

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
I reprimanded the nobles of Judah and asked them, "What is this evil thing you're doing? How dare you treat the day of worship as unholy!

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the sabbath day?

American King James Version
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?

American Standard Version
Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I rebuked the chief men of Juda, and said to them: What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the sabbath day?

Darby Bible Translation
And I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, What evil thing is this which ye do, profaning the sabbath day?

English Revised Version
Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?

Webster's Bible Translation
Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?

World English Bible
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?

Young's Literal Translation
And I strive with the freemen of Judah, and say to them, 'What is this evil thing that ye are doing, and polluting the sabbath-day?

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

13:15-22 The keeping holy the Lord's day forms an important object for their attention who would promote true godliness. Religion never prospers while sabbaths are trodden under foot. No wonder there was a general decay of religion, and corruption of manners among the Jews, when they forsook the sanctuary and profaned the sabbath. Those little consider what an evil they do, who profane the sabbath. We must answer for the sins others are led to commit by our example. Nehemiah charges it on them as an evil thing, for so it is, proceeding from contempt of God and our own souls. He shows that sabbath-breaking was one of the sins for which God had brought judgments upon them; and if they did not take warning, but returned to the same sins again, they had to expect further judgments. The courage, zeal, and prudence of Nehemiah in this matter, are recorded for us to do likewise; and we have reason to think, that the cure he wrought was lasting. He felt and confessed himself a sinner, who could demand nothing from God as justice, when he thus cried unto him for mercy.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 17. - Then I contended with the nobles. In the desecration of the sabbath, as in the non-payment of tithes, the nobles were the chief offenders, being at once luxurious and latitudinarian. They desired the freshest food for their feasts, and encouraged both foreigners and natives to break the law for the gratification of their carnal appetites.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Then I contended with the nobles,.... The rulers of the city, the civil magistrates, sharply reproved them for their neglect of duty:

and said unto them, what evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? by suffering servile works to be done in it, and things sold on it.

Nehemiah 13:17 Parallel Commentaries

Nehemiah 13:17 NIV
Nehemiah 13:17 NLT
Nehemiah 13:17 ESV
Nehemiah 13:17 NASB
Nehemiah 13:17 KJV

Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


The Sabbath Restored
15In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. 16There dwelled men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the sabbath day? …

Nehemiah 13:11 So I rebuked the officials and asked them, "Why is the house of God neglected?" Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts.
Nehemiah 13:16 People from Tyre who lived in Jerusalem were bringing in fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them in Jerusalem on the Sabbath to the people of Judah.
Nehemiah 13:25 I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God's name and said: "You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.