These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: It so happened that in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, I was in Susa the citadel.


Hanani, who was one of my relatives, along with some of the men from Judah, came to me, and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped and had survived the exile, and about Jerusalem.


They said to me, “The remnant that remains from the exile there in the province are experiencing considerable adversity and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem lies breached, and its gates have been burned down!”


When I heard these things I sat down abruptly, crying and mourning for several days. I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.


Then I said, “Please, O LORD God of heaven, great and awesome God, who keeps his loving covenant with those who love him and obey his commandments,


may your ear be attentive and your eyes be open to hear the prayer of your servant that I am praying to you today throughout both day and night on behalf of your servants the Israelites. I am confessing the sins of the Israelites that we have committed against you – both I myself and my family have sinned.


We have behaved corruptly against you, not obeying the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments that you commanded your servant Moses.


Please recall the word you commanded your servant Moses: ‘If you act unfaithfully, I will scatter you among the nations.


But if you repent and obey my commandments and do them, then even if your dispersed people are in the most remote location, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen for my name to reside.’


They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your mighty strength and by your powerful hand.


Please, O Lord, listen attentively to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who take pleasure in showing respect to your name. Grant your servant success today and show compassion to me in the presence of this man.” Now I was cupbearer for the king.


Then in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought to me, I took the wine and gave it to the king. Previously I had not been depressed in the king’s presence.


So the king said to me, “Why do you appear to be depressed when you aren’t sick? What can this be other than sadness of heart?” This made me very fearful.


I replied to the king, “O king, live forever! Why would I not appear dejected when the city with the graves of my ancestors lies desolate and its gates destroyed by fire?”


The king responded, “What is it you are seeking?” Then I quickly prayed to the God of heaven


and said to the king, “If the king is so inclined and if your servant has found favor in your sight, dispatch me to Judah, to the city with the graves of my ancestors, so that I can rebuild it.”


Then the king, with his consort sitting beside him, replied, “How long would your trip take, and when would you return?” Since the king was amenable to dispatching me, I gave him a time.


I said to the king, “If the king is so inclined, let him give me letters for the governors of Trans-Euphrates that will enable me to travel safely until I reach Judah,


and a letter for Asaph the keeper of the king’s nature preserve, so that he will give me timber for beams for the gates of the fortress adjacent to the temple and for the city wall and for the house to which I go.” So the king granted me these requests, for the good hand of my God was on me.


Then I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, and I presented to them the letters from the king. The king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen.


When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard all this, they were very displeased that someone had come to seek benefit for the Israelites.


So I came to Jerusalem. When I had been there for three days,


I got up during the night, along with a few men who were with me. But I did not tell anyone what my God was putting on my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no animals with me, except for the one I was riding.


I proceeded through the Valley Gate by night, in the direction of the Well of the Dragons and the Dung Gate, inspecting the walls of Jerusalem that had been breached and its gates that had been destroyed by fire.


I passed on to the Gate of the Well and the King’s Pool, where there was not enough room for my animal to pass with me.


I continued up the valley during the night, inspecting the wall. Then I turned back and came to the Valley Gate, and so returned.


The officials did not know where I had gone or what I had been doing, for up to this point I had not told any of the Jews or the priests or the nobles or the officials or the rest of the workers.


Then I said to them, “You see the problem that we have: Jerusalem is desolate and its gates are burned. Come on! Let’s rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that this reproach will not continue.”


Then I related to them how the good hand of my God was on me and what the king had said to me. Then they replied, “Let’s begin rebuilding right away!” So they readied themselves for this good project.


But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard all this, they derided us and expressed contempt toward us. They said, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”


I responded to them by saying, “The God of heaven will prosper us. We his servants will start the rebuilding. But you have no just or ancient right in Jerusalem.”


Then Eliashib the high priest and his priestly colleagues arose and built the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and erected its doors, working as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel.


The men of Jericho built adjacent to it, and Zaccur son of Imri built adjacent to them.


The sons of Hassenaah rebuilt the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and positioned its doors, its bolts, and its bars.


Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakoz, worked on the section adjacent to them. Meshullam son of Berechiah the son of Meshezabel worked on the section next to them. And Zadok son of Baana worked on the section adjacent to them.


The men of Tekoa worked on the section adjacent to them, but their town leaders would not assist with the work of their master.


Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah worked on the Jeshanah Gate. They laid its beams and positioned its doors, its bolts, and its bars.


Adjacent to them worked Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, who were men of Gibeon and Mizpah. These towns were under the jurisdiction of the governor of Trans-Euphrates.


Uzziel son of Harhaiah, a member of the goldsmiths’ guild, worked on the section adjacent to him. Hananiah, a member of the perfumers’ guild, worked on the section adjacent to him. They plastered the city wall of Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.


Rephaiah son of Hur, head of a half-district of Jerusalem, worked on the section adjacent to them.


Jedaiah son of Harumaph worked on the section adjacent to them opposite his house, and Hattush son of Hashabneiah worked on the section adjacent to him.


Malkijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-Moab worked on another section and the Tower of the Fire Pots.


Shallum son of Hallohesh, head of a half-district of Jerusalem, worked on the section adjacent to him, assisted by his daughters.


Hanun and the residents of Zanoah worked on the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and positioned its doors, its bolts, and its bars, in addition to working on fifteen hundred feet of the wall as far as the Dung Gate.


Malkijah son of Recab, head of the district of Beth Hakkerem, worked on the Dung Gate. He rebuilt it and positioned its doors, its bolts, and its bars.


Shallun son of Col-Hozeh, head of the district of Mizpah, worked on the Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it, put on its roof, and positioned its doors, its bolts, and its bars. In addition, he rebuilt the wall of the Pool of Siloam, by the royal garden, as far as the steps that go down from the City of David.


Nehemiah son of Azbuk, head of a half-district of Beth Zur, worked after him as far as the tombs of David and the artificial pool and the House of the Warriors.


After him the Levites worked – Rehum son of Bani and after him Hashabiah, head of half the district of Keilah, for his district.


After him their relatives worked – Binnui son of Henadad, head of a half-district of Keilah.


Adjacent to him Ezer son of Jeshua, head of Mizpah, worked on another section, opposite the ascent to the armory at the buttress.


After him Baruch son of Zabbai worked on another section, from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.


After him Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, worked on another section from the door of Eliashib’s house to the end of it.


After him the priests worked, men of the nearby district.


After them Benjamin and Hasshub worked opposite their house. After them Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, worked near his house.


After him Binnui son of Henadad worked on another section, from the house of Azariah to the buttress and the corner.


After him Palal son of Uzai worked opposite the buttress and the tower that protrudes from the upper palace of the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah son of Parosh


and the temple servants who were living on Ophel worked up to the area opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the protruding tower.


After them the men of Tekoa worked on another section, from opposite the great protruding tower to the wall of Ophel.


Above the Horse Gate the priests worked, each in front of his house.


After them Zadok son of Immer worked opposite his house, and after him Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, guard at the East Gate, worked.


After him Hananiah son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, worked on another section. After them Meshullam son of Berechiah worked opposite his quarters.


After him Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, worked as far as the house of the temple servants and the traders, opposite the Inspection Gate, and up to the room above the corner.


And between the room above the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and traders worked.


Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall he became angry and was quite upset. He derided the Jews,


and in the presence of his colleagues and the army of Samaria he said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they be left to themselves? Will they again offer sacrifice? Will they finish this in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones to life again from piles of dust?”


Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was close by, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”


Hear, O our God, for we are despised! Return their reproach on their own head! Reduce them to plunder in a land of exile!


Do not cover their iniquity, and do not wipe out their sin from before them. For they have bitterly offended the builders!


So we rebuilt the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height. The people were enthusiastic in their work.


When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people of Ashdod heard that the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem had moved ahead and that the breaches had begun to be closed, they were very angry.


All of them conspired together to move with armed forces against Jerusalem and to create a disturbance in it.


So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard to protect against them both day and night.


Then those in Judah said, “The strength of the laborers has failed! The debris is so great that we are unable to rebuild the wall.”


Our adversaries also boasted, “Before they are aware or anticipate anything, we will come in among them and kill them, and we will bring this work to a halt!”


So it happened that the Jews who were living near them came and warned us repeatedly about all the schemes they were plotting against us.


So I stationed people at the lower places behind the wall in the exposed places. I stationed the people by families, with their swords, spears, and bows.


When I had made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awesome Lord, and fight on behalf of your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your families!”


It so happened that when our adversaries heard that we were aware of these matters, God frustrated their intentions. Then all of us returned to the wall, each to his own work.


From that day forward, half of my men were doing the work and half of them were taking up spears, shields, bows, and body armor. Now the officers were behind all the people of Judah


who were rebuilding the wall. Those who were carrying loads did so by keeping one hand on the work and the other on their weapon.


The builders to a man had their swords strapped to their sides while they were building. But the trumpeter remained with me.


I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “The work is demanding and extensive, and we are spread out on the wall, far removed from one another.


Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, gather there with us. Our God will fight for us!”


So we worked on, with half holding spears, from dawn till dusk.


At that time I instructed the people, “Let every man and his coworker spend the night in Jerusalem and let them be guards for us by night and workers by day.


We did not change clothes – not I, nor my relatives, nor my workers, nor the watchmen who were with me. Each had his weapon, even when getting a drink of water.


Then there was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews.


There were those who said, “With our sons and daughters, we are many. We must obtain grain in order to eat and stay alive.”


There were others who said, “We are putting up our fields, our vineyards, and our houses as collateral in order to obtain grain during the famine.”


Then there were those who said, “We have borrowed money to pay our taxes to the king on our fields and our vineyards.


And now, though we share the same flesh and blood as our fellow countrymen, and our children are just like their children, still we have found it necessary to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have been subjected to slavery, while we are powerless to help, since our fields and vineyards now belong to other people.”


I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints.


I considered these things carefully and then registered a complaint with the wealthy and the officials. I said to them, “Each one of you is seizing the collateral from your own countrymen!” Because of them I called for a great public assembly.


I said to them, “To the extent possible we have bought back our fellow Jews who had been sold to the Gentiles. But now you yourselves want to sell your own countrymen, so that we can then buy them back!” They were utterly silent, and could find nothing to say.


Then I said, “The thing that you are doing is wrong! Should you not conduct yourselves in the fear of our God in order to avoid the reproach of the Gentiles who are our enemies?


Even I and my relatives and my associates are lending them money and grain. But let us abandon this practice of seizing collateral!


This very day return to them their fields, their vineyards, their olive trees, and their houses, along with the interest that you are exacting from them on the money, the grain, the new wine, and the olive oil.”


They replied, “We will return these things, and we will no longer demand anything from them. We will do just as you say.” Then I called the priests and made the wealthy and the officials swear to do what had been promised.


I also shook out my garment, and I said, “In this way may God shake out from his house and his property every person who does not carry out this matter. In this way may he be shaken out and emptied!” All the assembly replied, “So be it!” and they praised the LORD. Then the people did as they had promised.


From the day that I was appointed governor in the land of Judah, that is, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes – twelve years in all – neither I nor my relatives ate the food allotted to the governor.


But the former governors who preceded me had burdened the people and had taken food and wine from them, in addition to forty shekels of silver. Their associates were also domineering over the people. But I did not behave in this way, due to my fear of God.


I gave myself to the work on this wall, without even purchasing a field. All my associates were gathered there for the work.


There were 150 Jews and officials who dined with me routinely, in addition to those who came to us from the nations all around us.


Every day one ox, six select sheep, and some birds were prepared for me, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Despite all this I did not require the food allotted to the governor, for the work was demanding on this people.


Please remember me for good, O my God, for all that I have done for this people.


When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and no breach remained in it (even though up to that time I had not positioned doors in the gates),


Sanballat and Geshem sent word to me saying, “Come on! Let’s set up a time to meet together at Kephirim in the plain of Ono.” Now they intended to do me harm.


So I sent messengers to them saying, “I am engaged in an important work, and I am unable to come down. Why should the work come to a halt when I leave it to come down to you?”


They contacted me four times in this way, and I responded the same way each time.


The fifth time that Sanballat sent his assistant to me in this way, he had an open letter in his hand.


Written in it were the following words: “Among the nations it is rumored (and Geshem has substantiated this) that you and the Jews have intentions of revolting, and for this reason you are building the wall. Furthermore, according to these rumors you are going to become their king.


You have also established prophets to announce in Jerusalem on your behalf, ‘We have a king in Judah!’ Now the king is going to hear about these rumors. So come on! Let’s talk about this.”


I sent word back to him, “We are not engaged in these activities you are describing. All of this is a figment of your imagination.”


All of them were wanting to scare us, supposing, “Their hands will grow slack from the work, and it won’t get done.” So now, strengthen my hands!


Then I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel. He was confined to his home. He said, “Let’s set up a time to meet in the house of God, within the temple. Let’s close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. It will surely be at night that they will come to kill you.”


But I replied, “Should a man like me run away? Would someone like me flee to the temple in order to save his life? I will not go!”


I recognized the fact that God had not sent him, for he had spoken the prophecy against me as a hired agent of Tobiah and Sanballat.


He had been hired to scare me so that I would do this and thereby sin. They would thus bring reproach on me and I would be discredited.


Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat in light of these actions of theirs – also Noadiah the prophetess and the other prophets who were trying to scare me!


So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in just fifty-two days.


When all our enemies heard and all the nations who were around us saw this, they were greatly disheartened. They knew that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.


In those days the aristocrats of Judah repeatedly sent letters to Tobiah, and responses from Tobiah were repeatedly coming to them.


For many in Judah had sworn allegiance to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah. His son Jonathan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.


They were telling me about his good deeds and then taking back to him the things I said. Tobiah, on the other hand, sent letters in order to scare me.


When the wall had been rebuilt and I had positioned the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed,


I then put in charge over Jerusalem my brother Hanani and Hananiah the chief of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many do.


I said to them, “The gates of Jerusalem must not be opened in the early morning, until those who are standing guard close the doors and lock them. Position residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their guard stations and some near their homes.”


Now the city was spread out and large, and there were not a lot of people in it. At that time houses had not been rebuilt.


My God placed it on my heart to gather the leaders, the officials, and the ordinary people so they could be enrolled on the basis of genealogy. I found the genealogical records of those who had formerly returned. Here is what I found written in that record:


These are the people of the province who returned from the captivity of the exiles, whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had forced into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and to Judah, each to his own city.


They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. The number of Israelite men was as follows:


the descendants of Parosh, 2,172;


the descendants of Shephatiah, 372;


the descendants of Arah, 652;


the descendants of Pahath-Moab (from the line of Jeshua and Joab), 2,818;


the descendants of Elam, 1,254;


the descendants of Zattu, 845;


the descendants of Zaccai, 760;


the descendants of Binnui, 648;


the descendants of Bebai, 628;


the descendants of Azgad, 2,322;


the descendants of Adonikam, 667;


the descendants of Bigvai, 2,067;


the descendants of Adin, 655;


the descendants of Ater (through Hezekiah), 98;


the descendants of Hashum, 328;


the descendants of Bezai, 324;


the descendants of Harif, 112;


the descendants of Gibeon, 95;


The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188;


the men of Anathoth, 128;


the men of the family of Azmaveth, 42;


the men of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Beeroth, 743;


the men of Ramah and Geba, 621;


the men of Micmash, 122;


the men of Bethel and Ai, 123;


the men of the other Nebo, 52;


the descendants of the other Elam, 1,254;


the descendants of Harim, 320;


the descendants of Jericho, 345;


the descendants of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721;


the descendants of Senaah, 3,930.


The priests: the descendants of Jedaiah (through the family of Jeshua), 973;


the descendants of Immer, 1,052;


the descendants of Pashhur, 1,247;


the descendants of Harim, 1,017.


The Levites: the descendants of Jeshua (through Kadmiel, through the line of Hodaviah), 74.


The singers: the descendants of Asaph, 148.


The gatekeepers: the descendants of Shallum, the descendants of Ater, the descendants of Talmon, the descendants of Akkub, the descendants of Hatita, and the descendants of Shobai, 138.


The temple servants: the descendants of Ziha, the descendants of Hasupha, the descendants of Tabbaoth,


the descendants of Keros, the descendants of Sia, the descendants of Padon,


the descendants of Lebanah, the descendants of Hagabah, the descendants of Shalmai,


the descendants of Hanan, the descendants of Giddel, the descendants of Gahar,


the descendants of Reaiah, the descendants of Rezin, the descendants of Nekoda,


the descendants of Gazzam, the descendants of Uzzah, the descendants of Paseah,


the descendants of Besai, the descendants of Meunim, the descendants of Nephussim,


the descendants of Bakbuk, the descendants of Hakupha, the descendants of Harhur,


the descendants of Bazluth, the descendants of Mehida, the descendants of Harsha,


the descendants of Barkos, the descendants of Sisera, the descendants of Temah,


the descendants of Neziah, the descendants of Hatipha.


The descendants of the servants of Solomon: the descendants of Sotai, the descendants of Sophereth, the descendants of Perida,


the descendants of Jaala, the descendants of Darkon, the descendants of Giddel,


the descendants of Shephatiah, the descendants of Hattil, the descendants of Pokereth-Hazzebaim, and the descendants of Amon.


All the temple servants and the descendants of the servants of Solomon, 392.


These are the ones who came up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer (although they were unable to certify their family connection or their ancestry, as to whether they were really from Israel):


the descendants of Delaiah, the descendants of Tobiah, and the descendants of Nekoda, 642.


And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, the descendants of Hakkoz, and the descendants of Barzillai (who had married a woman from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by that name).


They searched for their records in the genealogical materials, but none were found. They were therefore excluded from the priesthood.


The governor instructed them not to eat any of the sacred food until there was a priest who could consult the Urim and Thummim.


The entire group numbered 42,360,


not counting their 7,337 male and female servants. They also had 245 male and female singers.


They had 736 horses, 245 mules,


435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.


Some of the family leaders contributed to the work. The governor contributed to the treasury 1,000 gold drachmas, 50 bowls, and 530 priestly garments.


Some of the family leaders gave to the project treasury 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,200 silver minas.


What the rest of the people gave amounted to 20,000 gold drachmas, 2,000 silver minas, and 67 priestly garments.


The priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all the rest of Israel lived in their cities. When the seventh month arrived and the Israelites were settled in their cities,


all the people gathered together in the plaza which was in front of the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the LORD had commanded Israel.


So Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly which included men and women and all those able to understand what they heard. (This happened on the first day of the seventh month.)


So he read it before the plaza in front of the Water Gate from dawn till noon before the men and women and those children who could understand. All the people were eager to hear the book of the law.


Ezra the scribe stood on a towering wooden platform constructed for this purpose. Standing near him on his right were Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Masseiah. On his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam.


Ezra opened the book in plain view of all the people, for he was elevated above all the people. When he opened the book, all the people stood up.


Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people replied “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.


Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah – all of whom were Levites – were teaching the people the law, as the people remained standing.


They read from the book of God’s law, explaining it and imparting insight. Thus the people gained understanding from what was read.


Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priestly scribe, and the Levites who were imparting understanding to the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping when they heard the words of the law.


He said to them, “Go and eat delicacies and drink sweet drinks and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared. For this day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”


Then the Levites quieted all the people saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy. Do not grieve.”


So all the people departed to eat and drink and to share their food with others and to enjoy tremendous joy, for they had gained insight in the matters that had been made known to them.


On the second day of the month the family leaders met with Ezra the scribe, together with all the people, the priests, and the Levites, to consider the words of the law.


They discovered written in the law that the LORD had commanded through Moses that the Israelites should live in temporary shelters during the festival of the seventh month,


and that they should make a proclamation and disseminate this message in all their cities and in Jerusalem: “Go to the hill country and bring back olive branches and branches of wild olive trees, myrtle trees, date palms, and other leafy trees to construct temporary shelters, as it is written.”


So the people went out and brought these things back and constructed temporary shelters for themselves, each on his roof and in his courtyard and in the courtyards of the temple of God and in the plaza of the Water Gate and the plaza of the Ephraim Gate.


So all the assembly which had returned from the exile constructed temporary shelters and lived in them. The Israelites had not done so from the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day. Everyone experienced very great joy.


Ezra read in the book of the law of God day by day, from the first day to the last. They observed the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day they held an assembly as was required.


On the twenty-fourth day of this same month the Israelites assembled; they were fasting and wearing sackcloth, their heads covered with dust.


Those truly of Israelite descent separated from all the foreigners, standing and confessing their sins and the iniquities of their ancestors.


For one-fourth of the day they stood in their place and read from the book of the law of the LORD their God, and for another fourth they were confessing their sins and worshiping the LORD their God.


Then the Levites – Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani – stood on the steps and called out loudly to the LORD their God.


The Levites – Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah – said, “Stand up and bless the LORD your God!” “May you be blessed, O LORD our God, from age to age. May your glorious name be blessed; may it be lifted up above all blessing and praise.


You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, along with all their multitude of stars, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You impart life to them all, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.


“You are the LORD God who chose Abram and brought him forth from Ur of the Chaldeans. You changed his name to Abraham.


When you perceived that his heart was faithful toward you, you established a covenant with him to give his descendants the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, and the Girgashites. You have fulfilled your promise, for you are righteous.


“You saw the affliction of our ancestors in Egypt, and you heard their cry at the Red Sea.


You performed awesome signs against Pharaoh, against his servants, and against all the people of his land, for you knew that the Egyptians had acted presumptuously against them. You made for yourself a name that is celebrated to this day.


You split the sea before them, and they crossed through the sea on dry ground! But you threw their pursuers into the depths, like a stone into surging waters.


You guided them with a pillar of cloud by day and with a pillar of fire by night to illumine for them the path they were to travel.


“You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven. You provided them with just judgments, true laws, and good statutes and commandments.


You made known to them your holy Sabbath; you issued commandments, statutes, and law to them through Moses your servant.


You provided bread from heaven for them in their time of hunger, and you brought forth water from the rock for them in their time of thirst. You told them to enter in order to possess the land that you had sworn to give them.


“But they – our ancestors – behaved presumptuously; they rebelled and did not obey your commandments.


They refused to obey and did not recall your miracles that you had performed among them. Instead, they rebelled and appointed a leader to return to their bondage in Egypt. But you are a God of forgiveness, merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and unfailing in your loyal love. You did not abandon them,


even when they made a cast image of a calf for themselves and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up from Egypt,’ or when they committed atrocious blasphemies.


“Due to your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. The pillar of cloud did not stop guiding them in the path by day, nor did the pillar of fire stop illuminating for them by night the path on which they should travel.


You imparted your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths; you provided water for their thirst.


For forty years you sustained them. Even in the desert they never lacked anything. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.


“You gave them kingdoms and peoples, and you allocated them to every corner of the land. They inherited the land of King Sihon of Heshbon and the land of King Og of Bashan.


You multiplied their descendants like the stars of the sky. You brought them to the land you had told their ancestors to enter in order to possess.


Their descendants entered and possessed the land. You subdued before them the Canaanites who were the inhabitants of the land. You delivered them into their hand, together with their kings and the peoples of the land, to deal with as they pleased.


They captured fortified cities and fertile land. They took possession of houses full of all sorts of good things – wells previously dug, vineyards, olive trees, and fruit trees in abundance. They ate until they were full and grew fat. They enjoyed to the full your great goodness.


“Nonetheless they grew disobedient and rebelled against you; they disregarded your law. They killed your prophets who had solemnly admonished them in order to cause them to return to you. They committed atrocious blasphemies.


Therefore you delivered them into the hand of their adversaries, who oppressed them. But in the time of their distress they called to you, and you heard from heaven. In your abundant compassion you provided them with deliverers to rescue them from their adversaries.


“Then, when they were at rest again, they went back to doing evil before you. Then you abandoned them to their enemies, and they gained dominion over them. When they again cried out to you, in your compassion you heard from heaven and rescued them time and again.


And you solemnly admonished them in order to return them to your law, but they behaved presumptuously and did not obey your commandments. They sinned against your ordinances – those by which an individual, if he obeys them, will live. They boldly turned from you; they rebelled and did not obey.


You prolonged your kindness with them for many years, and you solemnly admonished them by your Spirit through your prophets. Still they paid no attention, so you delivered them into the hands of the neighboring peoples.


However, due to your abundant mercy you did not do away with them altogether; you did not abandon them. For you are a merciful and compassionate God.


“So now, our God – the great, powerful, and awesome God, who keeps covenant fidelity – do not regard as inconsequential all the hardship that has befallen us – our kings, our leaders, our priests, our prophets, our ancestors, and all your people – from the days of the kings of Assyria until this very day!


You are righteous with regard to all that has happened to us, for you have acted faithfully. It is we who have been in the wrong!


Our kings, our leaders, our priests, and our ancestors have not kept your law. They have not paid attention to your commandments or your testimonies by which you have solemnly admonished them.


Even when they were in their kingdom and benefiting from your incredible goodness that you had lavished on them in the spacious and fertile land you had set before them, they did not serve you, nor did they turn from their evil practices.


“So today we are slaves! In the very land you gave to our ancestors to eat its fruit and to enjoy its good things – we are slaves!


Its abundant produce goes to the kings you have placed over us due to our sins. They rule over our bodies and our livestock as they see fit, and we are in great distress!


“Because of all of this we are entering into a binding covenant in written form; our leaders, our Levites, and our priests have affixed their names on the sealed document.”


On the sealed documents were the following names: Nehemiah the governor, son of Hacaliah, along with Zedekiah,


Seraiah, Azariah, Jeremiah,


Pashhur, Amariah, Malkijah,


Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,


Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,


Daniel, Ginnethon, Baruch,


Meshullam, Abijah, Mijamin,


Maaziah, Bilgai, and Shemaiah. These were the priests.


The Levites were as follows: Jeshua son of Azaniah, Binnui of the sons of Henadad, Kadmiel.


Their colleagues were as follows: Shebaniah, Hodiah, Kelita, Pelaiah, Hanan,


Mica, Rehob, Hashabiah,


Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah,


Hodiah, Bani, and Beninu.


The leaders of the people were as follows: Parosh, Pahath-Moab, Elam, Zattu, Bani,


Bunni, Azgad, Bebai,


Adonijah, Bigvai, Adin,


Ater, Hezekiah, Azzur,


Hodiah, Hashum, Bezai,


Hariph, Anathoth, Nebai,


Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,


Meshezabel, Zadok, Jaddua,


Pelatiah, Hanan, Anaiah,


Hoshea, Hananiah, Hasshub,


Hallohesh, Pilha, Shobek,


Rehum, Hashabnah, Maaseiah,


Ahiah, Hanan, Anan,


Malluch, Harim, and Baanah.


“Now the rest of the people – the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple attendants, and all those who have separated themselves from the neighboring peoples because of the law of God, along with their wives, their sons, and their daughters, all of whom are able to understand –


hereby participate with their colleagues the town leaders and enter into a curse and an oath to adhere to the law of God which was given through Moses the servant of God, and to obey carefully all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, along with his ordinances and his statutes.


“We will not give our daughters in marriage to the neighboring peoples, and we will not take their daughters in marriage for our sons.


We will not buy on the Sabbath or on a holy day from the neighboring peoples who bring their wares and all kinds of grain to sell on the Sabbath day. We will let the fields lie fallow every seventh year, and we will cancel every loan.


We accept responsibility for fulfilling the commands to give one third of a shekel each year for the work of the temple of our God,


for the loaves of presentation and for the regular grain offerings and regular burnt offerings, for the Sabbaths, for the new moons, for the appointed meetings, for the holy offerings, for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the temple of our God.


“We – the priests, the Levites, and the people – have cast lots concerning the wood offerings, to bring them to the temple of our God according to our families at the designated times year by year to burn on the altar of the LORD our God, as is written in the law.


We also accept responsibility for bringing the first fruits of our land and the first fruits of every fruit tree year by year to the temple of the LORD.


We also accept responsibility, as is written in the law, for bringing the firstborn of our sons and our cattle and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks to the temple of our God, to the priests who are ministering in the temple of our God.


We will also bring the first of our coarse meal, of our contributions, of the fruit of every tree, of new wine, and of olive oil to the priests at the storerooms of the temple of our God, along with a tenth of the produce of our land to the Levites, for the Levites are the ones who collect the tithes in all the cities where we work.


A priest of Aaron’s line will be with the Levites when the Levites collect the tithes, and the Levites will bring up a tenth of the tithes to the temple of our God, to the storerooms of the treasury.


The Israelites and the Levites will bring the contribution of the grain, the new wine, and the olive oil to the storerooms where the utensils of the sanctuary are kept, and where the priests who minister stay, along with the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not neglect the temple of our God.”


So the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, while the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten to settle in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine remained in other cities.


The people gave their blessing on all the men who volunteered to settle in Jerusalem.


These are the provincial leaders who settled in Jerusalem. (While other Israelites, the priests, the Levites, the temple attendants, and the sons of the servants of Solomon settled in the cities of Judah, each on his own property in their cities,


some of the descendants of Judah and some of the descendants of Benjamin settled in Jerusalem.) Of the descendants of Judah: Athaiah son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, from the descendants of Perez;


and Maaseiah son of Baruch, the son of Col-Hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, from the descendants of Shelah.


The sum total of the descendants of Perez who were settling in Jerusalem was 468 exceptional men.


These are the descendants of Benjamin: Sallu son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah,


and his followers, Gabbai and Sallai – 928 in all.


Joel son of Zicri was the officer in charge of them, and Judah son of Hassenuah was second-in-command over the city.


From the priests: Jedaiah son of Joiarib, Jakin,


Seraiah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, supervisor in the temple of God,


and their colleagues who were carrying out work for the temple – 822; and Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malkijah,


and his colleagues who were heads of families – 242; and Amashsai son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,


and his colleagues who were exceptional men – 128. The officer over them was Zabdiel the son of Haggedolim.


From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;


Shabbethai and Jozabad, leaders of the Levites, were in charge of the external work for the temple of God;


Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the praise leader who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his colleagues; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.


The sum total of the Levites in the holy city was 284.


And the gatekeepers: Akkub, Talmon and their colleagues who were guarding the gates – 172.


And the rest of the Israelites, with the priests and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, each on his own property.


The temple attendants were living on Ophel, and Ziha and Gishpa were over them.


The overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica. He was one of Asaph’s descendants who were the singers responsible for the service of the temple of God.


For they were under royal orders which determined their activity day by day.


Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, one of the descendants of Zerah son of Judah, was an adviser to the king in every matter pertaining to the people.


As for the settlements with their fields, some of the people of Judah settled in Kiriath Arba and its neighboring villages, in Dibon and its villages, in Jekabzeel and its settlements,


in Jeshua, in Moladah, in Beth Pelet,


in Hazar Shual, in Beer Sheba and its villages,


in Ziklag, in Meconah and its villages,


in En Rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth,


Zanoah, Adullam and their settlements, in Lachish and its fields, and in Azekah and its villages. So they were encamped from Beer Sheba to the Valley of Hinnom.


Some of the descendants of Benjamin settled in Geba, Micmash, Aija, Bethel and its villages,


in Anathoth, Nob, and Ananiah,


in Hazor, Ramah, and Gittaim,


in Hadid, Zeboim, and Neballat,


in Lod, Ono, and the Valley of the Craftsmen.


Some of the Judean divisions of the Levites settled in Benjamin.


These are the priests and Levites who returned with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,


Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,


Shecaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,


Iddo, Ginnethon, Abijah,


Mijamin, Moadiah, Bilgah,


Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah,


Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, and Jedaiah. These were the leaders of the priests and their colleagues in the days of Jeshua.


And the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who together with his colleagues was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving.


Bakbukiah and Unni, their colleagues, stood opposite them in the services.


Jeshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim was the father of Eliashib, Eliashib was the father of Joiada,


Joiada was the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan was the father of Jaddua.


In the days of Joiakim, these were the priests who were leaders of the families: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;


of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;


of Malluch, Jonathan; of Shecaniah, Joseph;


of Harim, Adna; of Meremoth, Helkai;


of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;


of Abijah, Zicri; of Miniamin and of Moadiah, Piltai;


of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;


of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi;


of Sallu, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;


of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethanel.


As for the Levites, in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan and Jaddua the heads of families were recorded, as were the priests during the reign of Darius the Persian.


The descendants of Levi were recorded in the Book of the Chronicles as heads of families up to the days of Johanan son of Eliashib.


And the leaders of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua son of Kadmiel, and their colleagues, who stood opposite them to offer praise and thanks, one contingent corresponding to the other, as specified by David the man of God.


Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers who were guarding the storerooms at the gates.


These all served in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priestly scribe.


At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sought out the Levites from all the places they lived to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication joyfully with songs of thanksgiving and songs accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres.


The singers were also assembled from the district around Jerusalem and from the settlements of the Netophathites


and from Beth Gilgal and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built settlements for themselves around Jerusalem.


When the priests and Levites had purified themselves, they purified the people, the gates, and the wall.


I brought the leaders of Judah up on top of the wall, and I appointed two large choirs to give thanks. One was to proceed on the top of the wall southward toward the Dung Gate.


Going after them were Hoshaiah, half the leaders of Judah,


Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam,


Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah,


some of the priests with trumpets, Zechariah son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph,


and his colleagues – Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani – with musical instruments of David the man of God. (Ezra the scribe led them.)


They went over the Fountain Gate and continued directly up the steps of the City of David on the ascent to the wall. They passed the house of David and continued on to the Water Gate toward the east.


The second choir was proceeding in the opposite direction. I followed them, along with half the people, on top of the wall, past the Tower of the Ovens to the Broad Wall,


over the Ephraim Gate, the Jeshanah Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, and the Tower of the Hundred, to the Sheep Gate. They stopped at the Gate of the Guard.


Then the two choirs that gave thanks took their stations in the temple of God. I did also, along with half the officials with me,


and the priests – Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with their trumpets –


and also Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malkijah, Elam, and Ezer. The choirs sang loudly under the direction of Jezrahiah.


And on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced, for God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard from far away.


On that day men were appointed over the storerooms for the contributions, first fruits, and tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions prescribed by the law for the priests and the Levites, for the people of Judah took delight in the priests and Levites who were ministering.


They performed the service of their God and the service of purification, along with the singers and gatekeepers, according to the commandment of David and his son Solomon.


For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the singers and for the songs of praise and thanks to God.


So in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah, all Israel was contributing the portions for the singers and gatekeepers, according to the daily need. They also set aside the portion for the Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.


On that day the book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people. They found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite may ever enter the assembly of God,


for they had not met the Israelites with food and water, but instead had hired Balaam to curse them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into blessing.)


When they heard the law, they removed from Israel all who were of mixed ancestry.


But prior to this time, Eliashib the priest, a relative of Tobiah, had been appointed over the storerooms of the temple of our God.


He made for himself a large storeroom where previously they had been keeping the grain offering, the incense, and the vessels, along with the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the olive oil as commanded for the Levites, the singers, the gate keepers, and the offering for the priests.


During all this time I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes of Babylon, I had gone back to the king. After some time I had requested leave of the king,


and I returned to Jerusalem. Then I discovered the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah by supplying him with a storeroom in the courts of the temple of God.


I was very upset, and I threw all of Tobiah’s household possessions out of the storeroom.


Then I gave instructions that the storerooms should be purified, and I brought back the equipment of the temple of God, along with the grain offering and the incense.


I also discovered that the grain offerings for the Levites had not been provided, and that as a result the Levites and the singers who performed this work had all gone off to their fields.


So I registered a complaint with the leaders, asking “Why is the temple of God neglected?” Then I gathered them and reassigned them to their positions.


Then all of Judah brought the tithe of the grain, the new wine, and the olive oil to the storerooms.


I gave instructions that Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and a certain Levite named Pedaiah be put in charge of the storerooms, and that Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, be their assistant, for they were regarded as trustworthy. It was then their responsibility to oversee the distribution to their colleagues.


Please remember me for this, O my God, and do not wipe out the kindness that I have done for the temple of my God and for its services!


In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath, bringing in heaps of grain and loading them onto donkeys, along with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of loads, and bringing them to Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them on the day that they sold these provisions.


The people from Tyre who lived there were bringing fish and all kinds of merchandise and were selling it on the Sabbath to the people of Judah – and in Jerusalem, of all places!


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?


Isn’t this the way your ancestors acted, causing our God to bring on them and on this city all this misfortune? And now you are causing even more wrath on Israel, profaning the Sabbath like this!”


When the evening shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be closed. I further directed that they were not to be opened until after the Sabbath. I positioned some of my young men at the gates so that no load could enter on the Sabbath day.


The traders and sellers of all kinds of merchandise spent the night outside Jerusalem once or twice.


But I warned them and said, “Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you repeat this, I will forcibly remove you!” From that time on they did not show up on the Sabbath.


Then I directed the Levites to purify themselves and come and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. For this please remember me, O my God, and have pity on me in keeping with your great love.


Also in those days I saw the men of Judah who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.


Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod (or the language of one of the other peoples mentioned ) and were unable to speak the language of Judah.


So I entered a complaint with them. I called down a curse on them, and I struck some of the men and pulled out their hair. I had them swear by God saying, “You will not marry off your daughters to their sons, and you will not take any of their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves!


Was it not because of things like these that King Solomon of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. But the foreign wives made even him sin!


Should we then in your case hear that you do all this great evil, thereby being unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign wives?”


Now one of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite. So I banished him from my sight.


Please remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, the covenant of the priesthood, and the Levites.


So I purified them of everything foreign, and I assigned specific duties to the priests and the Levites.


I also provided for the wood offering at the appointed times and also for the first fruits. Please remember me for good, O my God.


The following events happened in the days of Ahasuerus. (I am referring to that Ahasuerus who used to rule over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces extending all the way from India to Ethiopia. )


In those days, as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa the citadel,


in the third year of his reign he provided a banquet for all his officials and his servants. The army of Persia and Media was present, as well as the nobles and the officials of the provinces.


He displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his majestic greatness for a lengthy period of time – a hundred and eighty days, to be exact!


When those days were completed, the king then provided a seven-day banquet for all the people who were present in Susa the citadel, for those of highest standing to the most lowly. It was held in the court located in the garden of the royal palace.


The furnishings included linen and purple curtains hung by cords of the finest linen and purple wool on silver rings, alabaster columns, gold and silver couches displayed on a floor made of valuable stones of alabaster, mother-of-pearl, and mineral stone.


Drinks were served in golden containers, all of which differed from one another. Royal wine was available in abundance at the king’s expense.


There were no restrictions on the drinking, for the king had instructed all of his supervisors that they should do as everyone so desired.


Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in King Ahasuerus’ royal palace.


On the seventh day, as King Ahasuerus was feeling the effects of the wine, he ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who attended him,


to bring Queen Vashti into the king’s presence wearing her royal high turban. He wanted to show the people and the officials her beauty, for she was very attractive.


But Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s bidding conveyed through the eunuchs. Then the king became extremely angry, and his rage consumed him.


The king then inquired of the wise men who were discerners of the times – for it was the royal custom to confer with all those who were proficient in laws and legalities.


Those who were closest to him were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These men were the seven officials of Persia and Media who saw the king on a regular basis and had the most prominent offices in the kingdom.


The king asked, “By law, what should be done to Queen Vashti in light of the fact that she has not obeyed the instructions of King Ahasuerus conveyed through the eunuchs?”


Memucan then replied to the king and the officials, “The wrong of Queen Vashti is not against the king alone, but against all the officials and all the people who are throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus.


For the matter concerning the queen will spread to all the women, leading them to treat their husbands with contempt, saying, ‘When King Ahasuerus gave orders to bring Queen Vashti into his presence, she would not come.’


And this very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media who have heard the matter concerning the queen will respond in the same way to all the royal officials, and there will be more than enough contempt and anger!


If the king is so inclined, let a royal edict go forth from him, and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media that cannot be repealed, that Vashti may not come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king convey her royalty to another who is more deserving than she.


And let the king’s decision which he will enact be disseminated throughout all his kingdom, vast though it is. Then all the women will give honor to their husbands, from the most prominent to the lowly.”


The matter seemed appropriate to the king and the officials. So the king acted on the advice of Memucan.


He sent letters throughout all the royal provinces, to each province according to its own script and to each people according to its own language, that every man should be ruling his family and should be speaking the language of his own people.


When these things had been accomplished and the rage of King Ahasuerus had diminished, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what had been decided against her.


The king’s servants who attended him said, “Let a search be conducted in the king’s behalf for attractive young women.


And let the king appoint officers throughout all the provinces of his kingdom to gather all the attractive young women to Susa the citadel, to the harem under the authority of Hegai, the king’s eunuch who oversees the women, and let him provide whatever cosmetics they desire.


Let the young woman whom the king finds most attractive become queen in place of Vashti.” This seemed like a good idea to the king, so he acted accordingly.


Now there happened to be a Jewish man in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai. He was the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjaminite,


who had been taken into exile from Jerusalem with the captives who had been carried into exile with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken into exile.


Now he was acting as the guardian of Hadassah (that is, Esther), the daughter of his uncle, for neither her father nor her mother was alive. This young woman was very attractive and had a beautiful figure. When her father and mother died, Mordecai had raised her as if she were his own daughter.


It so happened that when the king’s edict and his law became known many young women were taken to Susa the citadel to be placed under the authority of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the royal palace to be under the authority of Hegai, who was overseeing the women.


This young woman pleased him, and she found favor with him. He quickly provided her with her cosmetics and her rations; he also provided her with the seven specially chosen young women who were from the palace. He then transferred her and her young women to the best quarters in the harem.


Now Esther had not disclosed her people or her lineage, for Mordecai had instructed her not to do so.


And day after day Mordecai used to walk back and forth in front of the court of the harem in order to learn how Esther was doing and what might happen to her.


At the end of the twelve months that were required for the women, when the turn of each young woman arrived to go to King Ahasuerus – for in this way they had to fulfill their time of cosmetic treatment: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfume and various ointments used by women –


the woman would go to the king in the following way: Whatever she asked for would be provided for her to take with her from the harem to the royal palace.


In the evening she went, and in the morning she returned to a separate part of the harem, to the authority of Shaashgaz the king’s eunuch who was overseeing the concubines. She would not go back to the king unless the king was pleased with her and she was requested by name.


When it became the turn of Esther daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai (who had raised her as if she were his own daughter ) to go to the king, she did not request anything except what Hegai the king’s eunuch, who was overseer of the women, had recommended. Yet Esther met with the approval of all who saw her.


Then Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus at his royal residence in the tenth month (that is, the month of Tebeth) in the seventh year of his reign.


And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she met with his loving approval more than all the other young women. So he placed the royal high turban on her head and appointed her queen in place of Vashti.


Then the king prepared a large banquet for all his officials and his servants – it was actually Esther’s banquet. He also set aside a holiday for the provinces, and he provided for offerings at the king’s expense.


Now when the young women were being gathered again, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate.


Esther was still not divulging her lineage or her people, just as Mordecai had instructed her. Esther continued to do whatever Mordecai said, just as she had done when he was raising her.


In those days while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who protected the entrance, became angry and plotted to assassinate King Ahasuerus.


When Mordecai learned of the conspiracy, he informed Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in Mordecai’s behalf.


The king then had the matter investigated and, finding it to be so, had the two conspirators hanged on a gallows. It was then recorded in the daily chronicles in the king’s presence.


Some time later King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, exalting him and setting his position above that of all the officials who were with him.


As a result, all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate were bowing and paying homage to Haman, for the king had so commanded. However, Mordecai did not bow, nor did he pay him homage.


Then the servants of the king who were at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you violating the king’s commandment?”


And after they had spoken to him day after day without his paying any attention to them, they informed Haman to see whether this attitude on Mordecai’s part would be permitted. Furthermore, he had disclosed to them that he was a Jew.


When Haman saw that Mordecai was not bowing or paying homage to him, he was filled with rage.


But the thought of striking out against Mordecai alone was repugnant to him, for he had been informed of the identity of Mordecai’s people. So Haman sought to destroy all the Jews (that is, the people of Mordecai) who were in all the kingdom of Ahasuerus.


In the first month (that is, the month of Nisan), in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus’ reign, pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman in order to determine a day and a month. It turned out to be the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar).


Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a particular people that is dispersed and spread among the inhabitants throughout all the provinces of your kingdom whose laws differ from those of all other peoples. Furthermore, they do not observe the king’s laws. It is not appropriate for the king to provide a haven for them.


If the king is so inclined, let an edict be issued to destroy them. I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to be conveyed to the king’s treasuries for the officials who carry out this business.”


So the king removed his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, who was hostile toward the Jews.


The king replied to Haman, “Keep your money, and do with those people whatever you wish.”


So the royal scribes were summoned in the first month, on the thirteenth day of the month. Everything Haman commanded was written to the king’s satraps and governors who were in every province and to the officials of every people, province by province according to its script and people by people according to its language. In the name of King Ahasuerus it was written and sealed with the king’s signet ring.


Letters were sent by the runners to all the king’s provinces stating that they should destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews, from youth to elderly, both women and children, on a particular day, namely the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar), and to loot and plunder their possessions.


A copy of this edict was to be presented as law throughout every province; it was to be made known to all the inhabitants, so that they would be prepared for this day.


The messengers scurried forth with the king’s order. The edict was issued in Susa the citadel. While the king and Haman sat down to drink, the city of Susa was in an uproar!


Now when Mordecai became aware of all that had been done, he tore his garments and put on sackcloth and ashes. He went out into the city, crying out in a loud and bitter voice.


But he went no further than the king’s gate, for no one was permitted to enter the king’s gate clothed in sackcloth.


Throughout each and every province where the king’s edict and law were announced there was considerable mourning among the Jews, along with fasting, weeping, and sorrow. Sackcloth and ashes were characteristic of many.


When Esther’s female attendants and her eunuchs came and informed her about Mordecai’s behavior, the queen was overcome with anguish. Although she sent garments for Mordecai to put on so that he could remove his sackcloth, he would not accept them.


So Esther called for Hathach, one of the king’s eunuchs who had been placed at her service, and instructed him to find out the cause and reason for Mordecai’s behavior.


So Hathach went to Mordecai at the plaza of the city in front of the king’s gate.


Then Mordecai related to him everything that had happened to him, even the specific amount of money that Haman had offered to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews to be destroyed.


He also gave him a written copy of the law that had been disseminated in Susa for their destruction so that he could show it to Esther and talk to her about it. He also gave instructions that she should go to the king to implore him and petition him on behalf of her people.


So Hathach returned and related Mordecai’s instructions to Esther.


Then Esther replied to Hathach with instructions for Mordecai:


“All the servants of the king and the people of the king’s provinces know that there is only one law applicable to any man or woman who comes uninvited to the king in the inner court – that person will be put to death, unless the king extends to him the gold scepter, permitting him to be spared. Now I have not been invited to come to the king for some thirty days!”


When Esther’s reply was conveyed to Mordecai,


he said to take back this answer to Esther:


“Don’t imagine that because you are part of the king’s household you will be the one Jew who will escape. If you keep quiet at this time, liberation and protection for the Jews will appear from another source, while you and your father’s household perish. It may very well be that you have achieved royal status for such a time as this!”


Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai:


“Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa and fast in my behalf. Don’t eat and don’t drink for three days, night or day. My female attendants and I will also fast in the same way. Afterward I will go to the king, even though it violates the law. If I perish, I perish!”


So Mordecai set out to do everything that Esther had instructed him.


It so happened that on the third day Esther put on her royal attire and stood in the inner court of the palace, opposite the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the palace, opposite the entrance.


When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she met with his approval. The king extended to Esther the gold scepter that was in his hand, and Esther approached and touched the end of the scepter.


The king said to her, “What is on your mind, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even as much as half the kingdom will be given to you!”


Esther replied, “If the king is so inclined, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”


The king replied, “Find Haman quickly so that we can do as Esther requests.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.


While at the banquet of wine, the king said to Esther, “What is your request? It shall be given to you. What is your petition? Ask for as much as half the kingdom, and it shall be done!”


Esther responded, “My request and my petition is this:


If I have found favor in the king’s sight and if the king is inclined to grant my request and perform my petition, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them. At that time I will do as the king wishes.


Now Haman went forth that day pleased and very much encouraged. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the king’s gate, and he did not rise nor tremble in his presence, Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.


But Haman restrained himself and went on to his home. He then sent for his friends to join him, along with his wife Zeresh.


Haman then recounted to them his fabulous wealth, his many sons, and how the king had magnified him and exalted him over the king’s other officials and servants.


Haman said, “Furthermore, Queen Esther invited only me to accompany the king to the banquet that she prepared! And also tomorrow I am invited along with the king.


Yet all of this fails to satisfy me so long as I have to see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”


Haman’s wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a gallows seventy-five feet high built, and in the morning tell the king that Mordecai should be hanged on it. Then go with the king to the banquet contented.” It seemed like a good idea to Haman, so he had the gallows built.


Throughout that night the king was unable to sleep, so he asked for the book containing the historical records to be brought. As the records were being read in the king’s presence,


it was found written that Mordecai had disclosed that Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance, had plotted to assassinate King Ahasuerus.


The king asked, “What great honor was bestowed on Mordecai because of this?” The king’s attendants who served him responded, “Not a thing was done for him.”


Then the king said, “Who is that in the courtyard?” Now Haman had come to the outer courtyard of the palace to suggest that the king hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had constructed for him.


The king’s attendants said to him, “It is Haman who is standing in the courtyard.” The king said, “Let him enter.”


So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done for the man whom the king wishes to honor?” Haman thought to himself, “Who is it that the king would want to honor more than me?”


So Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king wishes to honor,


let them bring royal attire which the king himself has worn and a horse on which the king himself has ridden – one bearing the royal insignia!


Then let this clothing and this horse be given to one of the king’s noble officials. Let him then clothe the man whom the king wishes to honor, and let him lead him about through the plaza of the city on the horse, calling before him, ‘So shall it be done to the man whom the king wishes to honor!’”


The king then said to Haman, “Go quickly! Take the clothing and the horse, just as you have described, and do as you just indicated to Mordecai the Jew who sits at the king’s gate. Don’t neglect a single thing of all that you have said.”


So Haman took the clothing and the horse, and he clothed Mordecai. He led him about on the horse throughout the plaza of the city, calling before him, “So shall it be done to the man whom the king wishes to honor!”


Then Mordecai again sat at the king’s gate, while Haman hurried away to his home, mournful and with a veil over his head.


Haman then related to his wife Zeresh and to all his friends everything that had happened to him. These wise men, along with his wife Zeresh, said to him, “If indeed this Mordecai before whom you have begun to fall is Jewish, you will not prevail against him. No, you will surely fall before him!”


While they were still speaking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived. They quickly brought Haman to the banquet that Esther had prepared.


So the king and Haman came to dine with Queen Esther.


On the second day of the banquet of wine the king asked Esther, “What is your request, Queen Esther? It shall be granted to you. And what is your petition? Ask up to half the kingdom, and it shall be done!”


Queen Esther replied, “If I have met with your approval, O king, and if the king is so inclined, grant me my life as my request, and my people as my petition.


For we have been sold – both I and my people – to destruction and to slaughter and to annihilation! If we had simply been sold as male and female slaves, I would have remained silent, for such distress would not have been sufficient for troubling the king.”


Then King Ahasuerus responded to Queen Esther, “Who is this individual? Where is this person to be found who is presumptuous enough to act in this way?”


Esther replied, “The oppressor and enemy is this evil Haman!” Then Haman became terrified in the presence of the king and queen.


In rage the king arose from the banquet of wine and withdrew to the palace garden. Meanwhile, Haman stood to beg Queen Esther for his life, for he realized that the king had now determined a catastrophic end for him.


When the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet of wine, Haman was throwing himself down on the couch where Esther was lying. The king exclaimed, “Will he also attempt to rape the queen while I am still in the building!” As these words left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.


Harbona, one of the king’s eunuchs, said, “Indeed, there is the gallows that Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke out in the king’s behalf. It stands near Haman’s home and is seventy-five feet high.” The king said, “Hang him on it!”


So they hanged Haman on the very gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. The king’s rage then abated.


On that same day King Ahasuerus gave the estate of Haman, that adversary of the Jews, to Queen Esther. Now Mordecai had come before the king, for Esther had revealed how he was related to her.


The king then removed his signet ring (the very one he had taken back from Haman) and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther designated Mordecai to be in charge of Haman’s estate.


Then Esther again spoke with the king, falling at his feet. She wept and begged him for mercy, that he might nullify the evil of Haman the Agagite which he had intended against the Jews.


When the king extended to Esther the gold scepter, she arose and stood before the king.


She said, “If the king is so inclined and if I have met with his approval and if the matter is agreeable to the king and if I am attractive to him, let an edict be written rescinding those recorded intentions of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, which he wrote in order to destroy the Jews who are throughout all the king’s provinces.


For how can I watch the calamity that will befall my people, and how can I watch the destruction of my relatives?”


King Ahasuerus replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Look, I have already given Haman’s estate to Esther, and he has been hanged on the gallows because he took hostile action against the Jews.


Now you write in the king’s name whatever in your opinion is appropriate concerning the Jews and seal it with the king’s signet ring. Any decree that is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring cannot be rescinded.


The king’s scribes were quickly summoned – in the third month (that is, the month of Sivan), on the twenty-third day. They wrote out everything that Mordecai instructed to the Jews and to the satraps and the governors and the officials of the provinces all the way from India to Ethiopia – a hundred and twenty-seven provinces in all – to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, and to the Jews according to their own script and their own language.


Mordecai wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king’s signet ring. He then sent letters by couriers on horses, who rode royal horses that were very swift.


The king thereby allowed the Jews who were in every city to assemble and to stand up for themselves – to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate any army of whatever people or province that should become their adversaries, including their women and children, and to confiscate their property.


This was to take place on a certain day throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus – namely, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar).


A copy of the edict was to be presented as law throughout each and every province and made known to all peoples, so that the Jews might be prepared on that day to avenge themselves from their enemies.


The couriers who were riding the royal horses went forth with the king’s edict without delay. And the law was presented in Susa the citadel as well.


Now Mordecai went out from the king’s presence in purple and white royal attire, with a large golden crown and a purple linen mantle. The city of Susa shouted with joy.


For the Jews there was radiant happiness and joyous honor.


Throughout every province and throughout every city where the king’s edict and his law arrived, the Jews experienced happiness and joy, banquets and holidays. Many of the resident peoples pretended to be Jews, because the fear of the Jews had overcome them.


In the twelfth month (that is, the month of Adar), on its thirteenth day, the edict of the king and his law were to be executed. It was on this day that the enemies of the Jews had supposed that they would gain power over them. But contrary to expectations, the Jews gained power over their enemies.


The Jews assembled themselves in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to strike out against those who were seeking their harm. No one was able to stand before them, for dread of them fell on all the peoples.


All the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors and those who performed the king’s business were assisting the Jews, for the dread of Mordecai had fallen on them.


Mordecai was of high rank in the king’s palace, and word about him was spreading throughout all the provinces. His influence continued to become greater and greater.


The Jews struck all their enemies with the sword, bringing death and destruction, and they did as they pleased with their enemies.


In Susa the citadel the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men.


In addition, they also killed Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha,


Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha,


Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha,


the ten sons of Haman son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews. But they did not confiscate their property.


On that same day the number of those killed in Susa the citadel was brought to the king’s attention.


Then the king said to Queen Esther, “In Susa the citadel the Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men and the ten sons of Haman! What then have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? What is your request? It shall be given to you. What other petition do you have? It shall be done.”


Esther replied, “If the king is so inclined, let the Jews who are in Susa be permitted to act tomorrow also according to today’s law, and let them hang the ten sons of Haman on the gallows.”


So the king issued orders for this to be done. A law was passed in Susa, and the ten sons of Haman were hanged.


The Jews who were in Susa then assembled on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar, and they killed three hundred men in Susa. But they did not confiscate their property.


The rest of the Jews who were throughout the provinces of the king assembled in order to stand up for themselves and to have rest from their enemies. They killed seventy-five thousand of their adversaries, but they did not confiscate their property.


All of this happened on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. They then rested on the fourteenth day and made it a day for banqueting and happiness.


But the Jews who were in Susa assembled on the thirteenth and fourteenth days, and rested on the fifteenth, making it a day for banqueting and happiness.


This is why the Jews who are in the rural country – those who live in rural cities – set aside the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as a holiday for happiness, banqueting, holiday, and sending gifts to one another.


Mordecai wrote these matters down and sent letters to all the Jews who were throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far,


to have them observe the fourteenth and the fifteenth day of the month of Adar each year


as the time when the Jews gave themselves rest from their enemies – the month when their trouble was turned to happiness and their mourning to a holiday. These were to be days of banqueting, happiness, sending gifts to one another, and providing for the poor.


So the Jews committed themselves to continue what they had begun to do and to what Mordecai had written to them.


For Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised plans against the Jews to destroy them. He had cast pur (that is, the lot) in order to afflict and destroy them.


But when the matter came to the king’s attention, the king gave written orders that Haman’s evil intentions that he had devised against the Jews should fall on his own head. He and his sons were hanged on the gallows.


For this reason these days are known as Purim, after the name of pur.


Therefore, because of the account found in this letter and what they had faced in this regard and what had happened to them, the Jews established as binding on themselves, their descendants, and all who joined their company that they should observe these two days without fail, just as written and at the appropriate time on an annual basis.


These days were to be remembered and to be celebrated in every generation and in every family, every province, and every city. The Jews were not to fail to observe these days of Purim; the remembrance of them was not to cease among their descendants.


So Queen Esther, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew wrote with full authority to confirm this second letter about Purim.


Letters were sent to all the Jews in the hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the empire of Ahasuerus – words of true peace –


to establish these days of Purim in their proper times, just as Mordecai the Jew and Queen Esther had established, and just as they had established both for themselves and their descendants, matters pertaining to fasting and lamentation.


Esther’s command established these matters of Purim, and the matter was officially recorded.


King Ahasuerus then imposed forced labor on the land and on the coastlands of the sea.


Now all the actions carried out under his authority and his great achievements, along with an exact statement concerning the greatness of Mordecai, whom the king promoted, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia?


Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus. He was the highest-ranking Jew, and he was admired by his numerous relatives. He worked enthusiastically for the good of his people and was an advocate for the welfare of all his descendants.


There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And that man was pure and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.


Seven sons and three daughters were born to him.


His possessions included 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys; in addition he had a very great household. Thus he was the greatest of all the people in the east.


Now his sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one in turn, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.


When the days of their feasting were finished, Job would send for them and sanctify them; he would get up early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s customary practice.


Now the day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord – and Satan also arrived among them.


The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” And Satan answered the Lord, “From roving about on the earth, and from walking back and forth across it.”


So the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a pure and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil.”


Then Satan answered the Lord, “Is it for nothing that Job fears God?


Have you not made a hedge around him and his household and all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock have increased in the land.


But extend your hand and strike everything he has, and he will no doubt curse you to your face!”


So the Lord said to Satan, “All right then, everything he has is in your power. Only do not extend your hand against the man himself!” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.


Now the day came when Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,


and a messenger came to Job, saying, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing beside them,


and the Sabeans swooped down and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”


While this one was still speaking, another messenger arrived and said, “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and has burned up the sheep and the servants – it has consumed them! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”


While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”


While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,


and suddenly a great wind swept across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they died! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”


Then Job got up and tore his robe. He shaved his head, and then he threw himself down with his face to the ground.


He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. May the name of the Lord be blessed!”


In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with moral impropriety.


Again the day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also arrived among them to present himself before the Lord.


And the Lord said to Satan, “Where do you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roving about on the earth, and from walking back and forth across it.”


Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a pure and upright man, one who fears God and turns away from evil. And he still holds firmly to his integrity, so that you stirred me up to destroy him without reason.”


But Satan answered the Lord, “Skin for skin! Indeed, a man will give up all that he has to save his life!


But extend your hand and strike his bone and his flesh, and he will no doubt curse you to your face!”


So the Lord said to Satan, “All right, he is in your power; only preserve his life.”


So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and he afflicted Job with a malignant ulcer from the sole of his feet to the top of his head.


Job took a shard of broken pottery to scrape himself with while he was sitting among the ashes.


Then his wife said to him, “Are you still holding firmly to your integrity? Curse God, and die!”


But he replied, “You’re talking like one of the godless women would do! Should we receive what is good from God, and not also receive what is evil?” In all this Job did not sin by what he said.


When Job’s three friends heard about all this calamity that had happened to him, each of them came from his own country – Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They met together to come to show sympathy for him and to console him.


But when they gazed intently from a distance but did not recognize him, they began to weep loudly. Each of them tore his robes, and they threw dust into the air over their heads.


Then they sat down with him on the ground for seven days and seven nights, yet no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.


After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day he was born.


Job spoke up and said:


“Let the day on which I was born perish, and the night that said, ‘A man has been conceived!’


That day – let it be darkness; let not God on high regard it, nor let light shine on it!


Let darkness and the deepest shadow claim it; let a cloud settle on it; let whatever blackens the day terrify it!


That night – let darkness seize it; let it not be included among the days of the year; let it not enter among the number of the months!


Indeed, let that night be barren; let no shout of joy penetrate it!


Let those who curse the day curse it – those who are prepared to rouse Leviathan.


Let its morning stars be darkened; let it wait for daylight but find none, nor let it see the first rays of dawn,


because it did not shut the doors of my mother’s womb on me, nor did it hide trouble from my eyes!


“Why did I not die at birth, and why did I not expire as I came out of the womb?


Why did the knees welcome me, and why were there two breasts that I might nurse at them?


For now I would be lying down and would be quiet, I would be asleep and then at peace


with kings and counselors of the earth who built for themselves places now desolate,


or with princes who possessed gold, who filled their palaces with silver.


Or why was I not buried like a stillborn infant, like infants who have never seen the light?


There the wicked cease from turmoil, and there the weary are at rest.


There the prisoners relax together; they do not hear the voice of the oppressor.


Small and great are there, and the slave is free from his master.


“Why does God give light to one who is in misery, and life to those whose soul is bitter,


to those who wait for death that does not come, and search for it more than for hidden treasures,


who rejoice even to jubilation, and are exultant when they find the grave?


Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, and whom God has hedged in?


For my sighing comes in place of my food, and my groanings flow forth like water.


For the very thing I dreaded has happened to me, and what I feared has come upon me.


I have no ease, I have no quietness; I cannot rest; turmoil has come upon me.”


Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:


“If someone should attempt a word with you, will you be impatient? But who can refrain from speaking?


Look, you have instructed many; you have strengthened feeble hands.


Your words have supported those who stumbled, and you have strengthened the knees that gave way.


But now the same thing comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are terrified.


Is not your piety your confidence, and your blameless ways your hope?


Call to mind now: Who, being innocent, ever perished? And where were upright people ever destroyed?


Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble reap the same.


By the breath of God they perish, and by the blast of his anger they are consumed.


There is the roaring of the lion and the growling of the young lion, but the teeth of the young lions are broken.


The mighty lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.


“Now a word was secretly brought to me, and my ear caught a whisper of it.


In the troubling thoughts of the dreams in the night when a deep sleep falls on men,


a trembling gripped me – and a terror! – and made all my bones shake.


Then a breath of air passes by my face; it makes the hair of my flesh stand up.


It stands still, but I cannot recognize its appearance; an image is before my eyes, and I hear a murmuring voice:


“Is a mortal man righteous before God? Or a man pure before his Creator?


If God puts no trust in his servants and attributes folly to his angels,


how much more to those who live in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed like a moth?


They are destroyed between morning and evening; they perish forever without anyone regarding it.


Is not their excess wealth taken away from them? They die, yet without attaining wisdom.


“Call now! Is there anyone who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn?


For wrath kills the foolish person, and anger slays the silly one.


I myself have seen the fool taking root, but suddenly I cursed his place of residence.


His children are far from safety, and they are crushed at the place where judgment is rendered, nor is there anyone to deliver them.


The hungry eat up his harvest, and take it even from behind the thorns, and the thirsty swallow up their fortune.


For evil does not come up from the dust, nor does trouble spring up from the ground,


but people are born to trouble, as surely as the sparks fly upward.


“But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would set forth my case.


He does great and unsearchable things, marvelous things without number;


he gives rain on the earth, and sends water on the fields;


he sets the lowly on high, that those who mourn are raised to safety.


He frustrates the plans of the crafty so that their hands cannot accomplish what they had planned!


He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the cunning is brought to a quick end.


They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope about in the noontime as if it were night.


So he saves from the sword that comes from their mouth, even the poor from the hand of the powerful.


Thus the poor have hope, and iniquity shuts its mouth.


“Therefore, blessed is the man whom God corrects, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.


For he wounds, but he also bandages; he strikes, but his hands also heal.


He will deliver you from six calamities; yes, in seven no evil will touch you.


In time of famine he will redeem you from death, and in time of war from the power of the sword.


You will be protected from malicious gossip, and will not be afraid of the destruction when it comes.


You will laugh at destruction and famine and need not be afraid of the beasts of the earth.


For you will have a pact with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you.


And you will know that your home will be secure, and when you inspect your domains, you will not be missing anything.


You will also know that your children will be numerous, and your descendants like the grass of the earth.


You will come to your grave in a full age, As stacks of grain are harvested in their season.


Look, we have investigated this, so it is true. Hear it, and apply it for your own good.”


Then Job responded:


“Oh, if only my grief could be weighed, and my misfortune laid on the scales too!


But because it is heavier than the sand of the sea, that is why my words have been wild.


For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; my spirit drinks their poison; God’s sudden terrors are arrayed against me.


“Does the wild donkey bray when it is near grass? Or does the ox low near its fodder?


Can food that is tasteless be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?


I have refused to touch such things; they are like loathsome food to me.


“Oh that my request would be realized, and that God would grant me what I long for!