Nehemiah 13:10-22

Nehemiah 13:10-22

[10] And I perceived  that the portions  of the Levites  had not been given  them: for the Levites  and the singers,  that did  the work,  were fled  every one  to his field.  [11] Then contended  I with the rulers,  and said,  Why is the house  of God  forsaken?  And I gathered them together,  and set  them in their place.  [12] Then brought  all Judah  the tithe  of the corn  and the new wine  and the oil  unto the treasuries.  [13] And 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 office was to distribute  unto their brethren.  [14] Remember  me, O my God,  concerning this, and wipe not out  my good  deeds that I have done  for the house  of my God,  and for the offices  thereof. [15] In 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.  [16] There dwelt  men of Tyre  also therein, which brought  fish,  and all manner of ware,  and sold  on the sabbath  unto the children  of Judah,  and in Jerusalem.  [17] 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?  [18] Did  not your fathers  not our God  bring  all this evil  upon us, and upon this city?  yet ye bring  wrath  upon Israel  by profaning  the sabbath.  [19] And it came to pass, that when the gates  of Jerusalem  began to be dark  before  the sabbath,  I commanded  that the gates  should be shut,  and charged  that they should not be opened  till after  the sabbath:  and some of my servants  set  I at the gates,  that there should no burden  be brought in  on the sabbath  day.  [20] So the merchants  and sellers  of all kind of ware  lodged  without  Jerusalem  once  or twice.  [21] Then I testified  against them, and said  unto them, Why lodge  ye about  the wall?  if ye do so again,  I will lay  hands  on you. From that time  forth came  they no more on the sabbath.  [22] And I commanded  the Levites  that they should cleanse  themselves, and that they should come  and keep  the gates,  to sanctify  the sabbath  day.  Remember  me, O my God,  concerning this also, and spare  me according to the greatness  of thy mercy.