Book of Nehemiah - Ferrar Fenton Bible Translation page 939

NEI-IEMIAH.

13—·—14

39 43 44 l2———38 47 no the Palace of David, as far as the Water Gate on the east. While the second procession marched to meet them ;-——and I after it with half of the People upon the wall, up to the Foundry Tower, the whole extent of the wall. Thence above the Ephraim Gate, and to the Old Gate, and to the Fish Gate, and the Tower of Hananal, and the Tower of Hamah, and on to the Sheep Gate, and halted at the Gua1·ds’ Gate. There both the Bands halted at

the House of GOD, and I, and half of the Representatives with me, and the Priests Aliakim, Masiah, Mini- mam, Mikiah, Aliazer, Zekeriah, Hzmani, with trumpets; and Masiah, and Shemiah, and Aliazer, and Azi, and johzman, and I\Ia.lkiah, and Ailim, and Azer, and the Choristers singing loud under their leader Izrakhiah. On the second day they sacrificed

great sacrifices,and rejoiced, for GOD made them glad with great delight. The women also and the children rejoiced, and the delight ofjerusalem was reported afar. Erznsuries Qkppnixttzh fur the 'Glzmple. At the same period men were

appointed over the Treasures, the Presentations, the First-fruits and the Tythes, to collect them from the Helds and villages the legal portions for the Priests and Levites, for judea was glad of the Appointment of the Priests and Levites, who guarded the Ordinances of GOD, and the Ordi- nances of purity, with the Singers, and Doorkeepers, as David, and Solomon his son ordered. For formerly, from the days of David there were Chief Choristers, who sang praises to GOD. Consequently all Israel in the times of Zerubabel, and in the times of NEHEMIAH paid the Singers and the Doorkeepers a daily salary, and consecrated the Levites, and the Levites consecrated the Descendants of Aaron. illljz {leaning uf the ihiu Nlrsinrzh mth iizmtliz. 13 At the same period the Law of Moses was read in the hearing of the People, and there was found written that an Amonite or Moabite should not be included in the con- gregation of GOD for ever? Because they did not meet the Children of Israel with bread and water, and had hired Balam to curse them, but GOD turned the Curse into a Blessing} Consequently when they heard that Law, they separated all the half- breeds from Israel. But before that Aliashib, the Priest, the Chamber- lain of the House of our GOD, being related to Tobiah, had made him a great residence where formerly were stored the meal·offerings, and frank- incense, and the vessels, and tythes, of corn, and wine, and oil, ordered for the Levites, and Choristers, and Doorkeepers, as well as the presents for the Priests. But during all this I was not at jerusalem; for in the thirty-second year of Arthakshasta, King of Babel, I went to the King but at the expiration of a period, I requested from the King, and pro- ceeded to jerusalem, and understood the wrong that Aliashib had done for the sake of Tobiah, by making him a residence in the Courts of the House of GOD, which provoked me greatly. I consequently removed all the furni- ture from the residence of Tobiah, from his lodging to the street. (434 ac.) itzfurnis muh: in ily: Qihministrntiutt uf tbz ®¤i12rxtm2nt. Then I commanded, and they

purified the Chambers, and I placed there the vessels of the House of GOD, with the meal and incense. I also ascertained that the allowance of the Levites had not been given to them, so that the Levites and the Choristers who should have done the work had hed each t0 his village. I therefore summoned my Deputies, Why have you neglected the House of GOD?’ Then I collected them and hxed them in their places, when all judea brought the tythe of corn, and wine, and oil, to the stores. I also ap- pointed Store-keepers over the Stores ;-—Shelmiah, the Priest, and Zadok the Secretary, and Padiah, for the Levites, and as assistants, Hanan,-ben - Zakur,—ben · Mathaniah , for they were trustworthy,-—and

their duty was to pay out to their associates. Remember me, my GOD, about

this, and blot not out the affection I have shown to the House of GOD and its ordinances. 939 XO XI I2