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15 In those days I saw in Judah highways filled with traffic on the sabbath, and men bringing burdens loaded on asses; and also wine, grapes, figs, and all manner of burdens which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day; and I testified against them that they might not sell game. 16 And not to bring fish, neither to sell on the sabbath to the children of Judah and in Jerusalem. 17 Then I contended with the chiefs of Judah and said to them, Why are you doing this evil thing and profaning the sabbath day? 18 Your fathers did likewise, and God brought all this misfortune upon us and upon this city, yet you bring more wrath and anger upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. 19 Now when the gates of Jerusalem were opened before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath; and I set some of my servants at the gates, that there should be no burden brought in on the sabbath day. 20 So the merchants and the sellers of all kinds of merchandise lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice. 21 Then I testified against them and said to them, Why do you not enter by the gate of the wall while the sun is still high? Now if you refuse to obey this command, I will punish you. From that time forth they did not enter on the sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves and that the guards and the porters should come and keep the gates to sanctify the sabbath day. O my God, remember me concerning this also, and spare me according to the abundance of thy mercy. Nehemiah 13:15-22, Lamsa Bible. Public domain.
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