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19 And it came to pass when the gates of Jerusalem were becoming dark before the face of the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and I said that they shall not open them until after the Sabbath. And some from my servants I made stand at the gates, that there should not be brought in loads carried on the day of the Sabbath. 20 And they lodged—those who traded and those who sold all kinds of goods to sell—outside of Jerusalem once or twice. 21 And I testified against them and said to them, “Why are you? lodging in front of the wall? If you? do this again, a hand I will put forth on you?.” From that time they did not come on the Sabbath. 22 And I said to the Levites that they should be cleansing themselves, and coming in guarding the gates, to sanctify the day of the Sabbath. Also for this, remember me, O my God, and have pity on me according to the abundance of your loving devotion. 23 Also in those days I saw the Judeans who had settled with women—Ashdodite, Ammonite, and Moabite. 24 And of their sons, half were speaking Ashdodite, and none of them knowing how to speak Judean, and according to the tongue of people by people. 25 And I contended with them and cursed them and struck some men from them and pulled out their hair. And I made them swear by God, “You? shall Not give your? daughters to their sons or take from their daughters for your? sons or for yourselves. 26 By these things did not Solomon king of Israel sin? And among the many nations there was not a king like him, and he was beloved to his God, and God gave him as king over all Israel; yet even him, the foreign women caused to sin. 27 And to you? shall we listen to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God by settling with foreign women?” 28 And one from the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the great priest was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite, and I caused him to flee from me. 29 Remember them, O my God, on account of the defiling of the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites. 30 And I purified them from everything foreign, and I appointed duties for the priests and for the Levites, each man in his work, 31 and for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good. Nehemiah 13:19-31, Berean Literal Bible. Public domain.
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