Online Bible

Book of Nehemiah, Chapter 13

Twitter · Facebook
Nehemiah 13 NWT - New World TranslationNehemiah 13 NWT - New World Translation

Chapter 13 of Nehemiah—New World Translation (NWT)

  1. ¶ On that day there was a reading1 from the book2 of Moses in the ears of the people; and there was found written in it that the Amʹmon·ite3 and the Moʹab·ite4 should not come into the congregation[a] of the [true] God to time indefinite,5
  2. for they had not met the sons of Israel with bread6 and with water,7 but went hiring against them Baʹlaam8 to call down evil upon them.9 However, our God changed the malediction into a benediction.10
  3. So it came about that, as soon as they heard the law,11 they began to separate12 all the mixed company from Israel.
  4. ¶ Now before this, E·liʹa·shib13 the priest in charge of a dining hall14 of the house of our God was a relative of To·biʹah;15
  5. and he proceeded to make for him a large dining hall,16 where previously they were regularly putting the grain offering,17 the frankincense and the utensils and the tenth[b] of the grain, the new wine18 and the oil,19 to which the Levites20 and the singers and the gatekeepers are entitled,[c] and the contribution for the priests.
  6. ¶ And during all this [time] I did not happen to be in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second21 year of Ar·ta·xerxʹes22 the king of Babylon[d] I came to the king, and sometime later[e] I asked leave of absence from the king.23
  7. Then I came to Jerusalem and got to notice the badness that E·liʹa·shib24 had committed for To·biʹah25 by making for him a hall in the courtyard of the house26 of the [true] God.
  8. And it seemed very bad to me.27 So I threw28 all the furniture of To·biʹah’s house outside the dining hall.
  9. After that I said [the word] and they cleansed29 the dining halls;30 and I proceeded to put back there the utensils31 of the house of the [true] God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.32
  10. ¶ And I got to find out that the very portions33 of the Levites had not been given [them], so that the Levites and the singers doing the work went running off, each one to his own field.34
  11. And I began to find fault35 with the deputy rulers36 and say: “Why has the house of the [true] God been neglected?”37 Consequently I collected them together and stationed them at their standing place.
  12. And all Judah, for their part, brought in the tenth38 of the grain39 and of the new wine40 and of the oil41 to the stores.42
  13. Then I put Shel·e·miʹah the priest and Zaʹdok the copyist and Pe·daiʹah of the Levites in charge[f] of the stores; and under their control there was Haʹnan the son of Zacʹcur the son of Mat·ta·niʹah,43 for they were considered faithful;44 and upon them it devolved to do the distributing45 to their brothers.
  14. ¶ Do remember me,46 O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe47 out my acts of loving-kindness[g] that I have performed in connection with the house48 of my God and the guardianship of it.
  15. ¶ In those days I saw in Judah people treading winepresses on the sabbath49 and bringing in grain heaps and loading50 [them] upon asses,51 and also wine, grapes and figs52 and every sort of burden, and bringing [them] into Jerusalem on the sabbath day;53 and I proceeded to bear witness [against them] on the day of their selling provisions.
  16. And the Tyrʹi·ans54 themselves dwelt in [the city],[h] bringing in fish and every sort of merchandise55 and making sales on the sabbath to the sons of Judah and in Jerusalem.
  17. So I began to find fault with the nobles56 of Judah and say to them: “What is this bad thing that YOU are doing, even profaning the sabbath day?
  18. Was it not this way that YOUR forefathers did,57 so that our God brought upon us all this calamity,58 and also upon this city? Yet YOU are adding to the burning anger against Israel by profaning the sabbath.”59
  19. ¶ And it came about that, as soon as the gates[i] of Jerusalem had grown shadowy before the sabbath, I immediately said [the word] and the doors began to be closed.60 I said further that they should not open them until after the sabbath; and some of my own attendants I stationed at the gates that no burden might come in on the sabbath day.61
  20. Consequently the traders and the sellers of every sort of merchandise spent the night outside Jerusalem once and a second time.
  21. Then I proceeded to bear witness62 against them and say to them: “Why are YOU spending the night in front of the wall? If YOU do it again, a hand I shall lay on YOU.”63 From that time on they did not come on the sabbath.
  22. ¶ And I went on to say to the Levites64 that they should be regularly purifying65 themselves and coming in, keeping guard of the gates66 to sanctify[j]67 the sabbath day. This, also, do remember68 to my account, O my God, and do feel sorry for me according to the abundance of your loving-kindness.69
  23. ¶ Also, in those days I saw the Jews that had given a dwelling70 to Ashʹdod·ite,71 Amʹmon·ite [and] Moʹab·ite72 wives.
  24. And as for their sons, half were speaking Ashʹdod·ite, and there were none of them knowing how to speak Jewish,73 but in the tongue of the different peoples.
  25. And I began to find fault with them and call down evil upon them74 and strike some men of them75 and pull out their hair and make them swear by God:76 “YOU should not give YOUR daughters to their sons, and YOU should not accept any of their daughters for YOUR sons or yourselves.77
  26. Was it not because of these that Solʹo·mon the king of Israel sinned?78 And among the many nations there proved to be no king like him;79 and loved of his God he happened to be,80 so that God constituted him king over all Israel. Even him the foreign wives caused to sin.81
  27. And is it not something unheard of for YOU to commit all this great badness in acting unfaithfully against our God by giving a dwelling to foreign wives?”82
  28. ¶ And one of the sons of Joiʹa·da83 the son of E·liʹa·shib84 the high priest was a son-in-law of San·balʹlat85 the Horʹo·nite.86 So I chased him away from me.87
  29. ¶ Do remember them, O my God, on account of the defilement88 of the priesthood and the covenant[k]89 of the priesthood[l] and of the Levites.90
  30. ¶ And I purified91 them from everything foreign and proceeded to assign duties to the priests and to the Levites, each one in his own work,92
  31. even for the supply[m] of the wood93 at appointed times and for the first ripe fruits.
    ¶ Do remember me,94 O my God, for good.95

FOOTNOTES

  1. ^ “Into the congregation of.” Heb., biq·halʹ; Gr., ek·kle·siʹai; Lat., ec·cleʹsi·am.
  2. ^ Or, “tithe.”
  3. ^ Lit., “the oil, the commandment of the Levites and the singers and the gatekeepers.”
  4. ^ “Babylon,” LXXVg; MSy, “Babel.”
  5. ^ Lit., “and at the end of days.”
  6. ^ “Then I put . . . in charge,” LXXLSy.
  7. ^ Or, “acts of loyal love.”
  8. ^ Lit., “it,” fem., referring to Jerusalem.
  9. ^ Nehemiah completes the evidence that the literal city of Jerusalem had 12 gates, even as the heavenly holy city described by John the apostle has 12 gates—⁠three facing each of the four directions—⁠as recorded in Re 21:12, 13. Earthly Jerusalem’s 12 gates are listed in counterclockwise order from where Nehemiah started his inspection tour. SOUTHERN SECTION: Valley Gate (2:13), Gate of the Ash-heaps (2:13) and Fountain Gate (2:14); EASTERN SECTION: Water Gate (3:26), Horse Gate (3:28) and Inspection Gate (3:31); NORTHERN SECTION: Gate of the Guard (12:39), Sheep Gate (3:32) and Fish Gate (3:3); WESTERN SECTION: Gate of the Old [City] (3:6), Gate of Ephraim (12:39) and Corner Gate (2Ch 25:23; Zec 14:10).
  10. ^ “To sanctify (hold sacred; treat as holy).” Heb., leqad·deshʹ; Gr., ha·gi·aʹzein; Lat., sanc·ti·fi·canʹdum.
  11. ^ “And the covenant of.” Heb., u·verithʹ; Gr., di·a·theʹkes.
  12. ^ “Priesthood,” M; LXXLSy and one Heb. ms, “priests.”
  13. ^ “Even for the supply [or, offering] of.” Heb., u·lequr·banʹ. See “corban” in Mr 7:11.

REFERENCES

  1. ^ De 31:11; Ne 8:2; Lu 4:16
  2. ^ Ne 8:3; Lu 10:26; Ac 13:15; 15:21
  3. ^ De 23:3
  4. ^ Ge 19:37
  5. ^ De 23:6
  6. ^ Jg 11:17
  7. ^ De 23:4
  8. ^ Nu 22:5; Jos 24:9
  9. ^ Nu 22:6
  10. ^ Nu 23:8; 24:10; De 23:5; Ps 109:28; Mc 6:5
  11. ^ Ps 19:7; 119:15; Pr 6:23
  12. ^ Ezr 10:11; Ne 9:2; 10:28
  13. ^ Ne 3:1
  14. ^ Ne 10:37, 38
  15. ^ Ne 2:10
  16. ^ Ne 12:44
  17. ^ Ne 10:33
  18. ^ Nu 18:27, 30
  19. ^ De 18:4
  20. ^ Nu 18:24
  21. ^ Ne 5:14
  22. ^ Ezr 7:1; Ne 2:1
  23. ^ Ne 2:5, 6
  24. ^ Ne 12:10
  25. ^ Ne 2:10; 4:7
  26. ^ Mt 21:13
  27. ^ Pr 8:13; Am 5:15
  28. ^ Mt 21:12
  29. ^ 2Ch 29:5
  30. ^ Ne 10:39
  31. ^ Ezr 1:9
  32. ^ Le 2:15; Ne 13:5
  33. ^ Ne 10:37; 12:47; Ml 3:8
  34. ^ Nu 35:2
  35. ^ Pr 28:4
  36. ^ Ezr 9:2; Ne 2:16
  37. ^ Ne 10:39
  38. ^ Le 27:30; Nu 18:21
  39. ^ Nu 18:27
  40. ^ Nu 18:12
  41. ^ De 18:4
  42. ^ Ne 10:38; Ml 3:10
  43. ^ Ne 11:17; 12:8
  44. ^ Ps 15:1; Lu 12:42; 1Co 4:2
  45. ^ Ac 4:35; 6:1
  46. ^ Ne 5:19
  47. ^ Mt 6:20; Heb 6:10
  48. ^ 2Ch 24:16; Ps 122:9
  49. ^ Ex 20:10; 34:21; 35:2; Is 58:13
  50. ^ Je 17:21
  51. ^ 2Sa 16:1
  52. ^ De 8:8
  53. ^ Je 17:27
  54. ^ Jos 19:29
  55. ^ Ne 10:31
  56. ^ Ne 4:14
  57. ^ Ne 9:16
  58. ^ Ezr 9:13
  59. ^ Ex 20:8; 31:14
  60. ^ Ne 7:3
  61. ^ Je 17:21
  62. ^ Ne 9:29
  63. ^ Ezr 7:26; Ro 13:3; 1Pe 2:14
  64. ^ 1Ch 23:28
  65. ^ Ne 12:30
  66. ^ 1Ch 9:23; 26:13
  67. ^ De 5:12
  68. ^ Ne 5:19; 13:14, 31
  69. ^ Ps 25:6; 51:1; 130:7
  70. ^ Ezr 9:2; 10:10; 2Co 6:14
  71. ^ Jos 13:3; 1Sa 5:7
  72. ^ Ex 34:16; De 23:3
  73. ^ 2Ki 18:26
  74. ^ De 27:26
  75. ^ De 25:2; Ezr 7:26
  76. ^ De 6:13; Ne 10:29
  77. ^ De 7:3
  78. ^ 1Ki 11:1
  79. ^ 1Ki 3:13; 2Ch 1:12; 9:22
  80. ^ 2Sa 12:24
  81. ^ 1Ki 11:4, 5
  82. ^ Ezr 10:2
  83. ^ Ne 12:10
  84. ^ Ne 3:1; 13:4
  85. ^ Ne 2:10; 4:1; 6:14
  86. ^ Jos 16:3, 5
  87. ^ Pr 20:8, 26
  88. ^ Le 21:15
  89. ^ Ex 40:15; Nu 25:13
  90. ^ Ml 2:4
  91. ^ Ne 10:30
  92. ^ 1Ch 23:6; 25:1
  93. ^ Ne 10:34
  94. ^ Ne 5:19
  95. ^ Ps 25:7

Read Nehemiah Chapter 13 in other Bible versions:

Comments

  1. Kiamia DoelKiamia Doel
    Jan 9, 2025 23:00 GMT

    The NWT adds words to the text that are not in the greek Manuscripts to fit it's own doctrinal position for example

    Compare the wording of the NWT and the NKJV at Colossians 1:15-17

    NKJV says

    15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

    NWT says

    15 He is the image of the invisible God,the firstborn OF all creation;16 because by means of him all OTHER things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible,whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All OTHER things have been created through him and for him. 17 Also, he is before all OTHER things,and by means of him all OTHER things were made to exist,

    The word “other” is not in the Greek but they add it Why? So they can decieve their followers into thinking that Christ was created by the Father and that he then created other things, that is not what the Greek says.

    1. SmeSme
      Feb 27, 2025 11:17 GMT

      Truth is from God and those that follow him. As for lies? John8:44

      Kiamia, I noticed you used a modern version of kjv to make your point about the nwt.

      Why didn’t you use the original kjv of col1:15?

      Is it because it disproves your point? It proves the opposite of what you wrote?

      Here is kjv col1:15 ¶” Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn OF every creature:“

      Now I appeal to your Christian nature to correct your mistake as God is watching each of us, and let us bless the God of Jesus his father.

      Kjv 1Pe 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ….

  2. YanekYanek
    Dec 24, 2024 22:18 GMT

    Joshua, Jehovah’s Witnesses have never denied the deity of the Messiah in his prehuman existence. While on Earth he was fully 100% human. I do not mean he was a mere human, he was not affected by Adam’s unfaithful behavior, he was sinless.

  3. David yakubuDavid yakubu
    Oct 29, 2022 08:05 GMT

    When i do read some comments and seeing that its the same people that are supposed to be called believers but are talking ill of other denominations, it hurts. Let us all remember that We should judge not

    1. jonas smithjonas smith
      Apr 23, 2023 02:57 GMT

      The bible tells us to test the spirits. Satan disguises himself as angel of light. So yes some denomination are not teaching the truth. You are responsible for judging which ones are not. You have to judge the truth at all times. this is what the bible teaches

  4. THTH
    Apr 7, 2021 00:20 GMT

    The NWT is a very good translation. Dr. Jason David BeDuhn PhD attests to that in his book Truth in Translation. drive.google.com/...5p16melHzg8/view

    1. James LernerJames Lerner
      Jul 20, 2024 09:48 GMT

      The NWT is Satanic filth to its very core.

      The JW Cult is Satanic to its very core.

      Praise Yahweh I will never be a victim of JW brainwashing. If I burn in Hell for eternity or I am ultimately annihilated so be it

      May Yahweh's curse rest on the Watchtower Society and its Satanic leadership

    2. jim mcleodjim mcleod
      Aug 22, 2021 06:16 GMT

      NWT is a false translation that takes away from the deity of Jesus !

  5. SlightlyChaoticSlightlyChaotic
    Jan 30, 2021 16:33 GMT

    Thank you for taking the time to provide this service. I like seeing the NASB on your web page in the same format as I read on paper. On other sites, the text area is smaller, and so I have to keep scrolling down to read and sometimes I lose the context. So I really appreciate the format.

    As far as the NWT, you are certainly free to do whatever you think best with your own web pages. I'd suggest that you make a note anytime you have a translation that is associated with only one denomination or church, for example:
    New World Translation (Jehovah's Witness version).

    In Jesus' parable of the wheat and the tares. the main idea seems to be that you can't easily distinguish between God's people and not-God's people on this earth, so our Lord's response is to wait until they are shown to be the kind of people they are inside. But the NWT seems like false teaching to me. So I think the warning passages from Jesus' apostles are more applicable, as in 2 Peter 3:15-16, when he talks about Paul's writings:
    "There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures."
    And we also have the positive exhortations, as in 2 Timothy 2:15:
    "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

    1. BroderickBroderick
      Jan 31, 2021 00:57 GMT

      Your suggestion regarding the denominational flagging is duly noted. But I can’t help but wonder, wouldn’t a Catholic also want “Protestant versions” marked as well?

      As for the parable, I’m pretty sure the slaves were convinced in their own minds that they could tell the tares from the wheat. After all, aren’t they the ones who identified the problem in the first place? But the master obviously thought otherwise.

      Furthermore, even at the time when Jesus himself was walking the earth, not everybody who claimed fellowship actually followed him causing John to inquire at Mark 9:39, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him . . . for he who is not against us is for us.”

  6. Joshua HarderJoshua Harder
    Dec 11, 2020 17:48 GMT

    Hello, question.. why have you included the NWT with other legitimate bible translations? Or why have you not atleast included a warning to readers? Don't you fear that someone could be influenced by the Watchtower's intentional heresies? Thank you.

    1. KevinKevin
      Jul 11, 2021 17:45 GMT

      en.m.wikipedia.org/..._Holy_Scriptures

      See the section critical review

    2. ChrisChris
      Jan 8, 2021 07:15 GMT

      Please site these intentional heresies. I am well versed in the watch tower outline and agree they are in many ways incorrect but i also bet i can point many out from EVERY established or main denomination. There is much to learn from them all as one who drinks milk?

      Judge not lest ye be judged, that is not to pass judgement on you either brother.

      I debate with scripture. I don't hold it to be true that Michael is Y'Shua HaMeshiach but I also firmly hold it to be true that our G-d and Heavenly Father are not the word encarnate and only begotten son.

      I love not seeing "lord" which i relate to baal. I feel the catholic church is a satanic establishment and I am aware a freemason started the hovies but there are evil in high places and our fight is also with principalities.

      What i'm saying is that in my darkest hours, those two were some of if not the only ones who would bring a Bible and eucharist and pray with me.

      We all fall short of the glory of G-d.

      Don't forget the NWT was recognized as the most accurate translation on Jeopardy.

      Lastly, this is different I noted than the NWT i have read and am very familiar with. Pull up the watchtower page and compare. I truly look forward to getting this one!

  7. julietjuliet
    Aug 17, 2022 09:36 GMT

    the sky is blue

  8. mercymercy
    Aug 12, 2022 21:23 GMT

    i am Mercy, the sky is blue what else do you need

    1. mercymercy
      Aug 12, 2022 21:25 GMT

      i am so sorry, it was a big mistake

  9. God is able to do all thingsGod is able to do all things
    May 17, 2021 17:59 GMT

    Jesus how much love calling yo name

  10. EmpiralEmpiral
    Jul 4, 2025 19:06 GMT

    I live in Dover, Delaware. My boyfriend Juan Tover and I have been dating for the past 4 yrs we were to get married in September of this year but it never happened..he constantly messes around with his ex's and other females every time he got caught he apologized and tell me to forgive him and I keep taking him back because I'm truly in love with this man but after a while he started messing around again...what can I do to make this man to love me and stop the messing around so we could get married and start our family? I am very happy I contacted Priest Salami regarding my problem. My boyfriend is now my HUSBAND. We got married 2 weeks ago in the United Church in Dover. My problem was solved. I am extremely happy to put his email purenaturalhealer@gmail.com  to anyone out there looking to solve his/her relationship problem. You can also WhatsApp him with his mobile number +2348105150446
    Visit his Facebook page facebook.com/priestsalami

  • Showing 1 - 10 of 10
NOTE: You are replying to 's comment. [Cancel]