The Incomprehensibility of God's Infinity

Soul on Fire

Noah

God With Us: Encountering the King This Christmas

Becoming a House of Prayer

The Creator’s Legacy: How to Make a Lasting Impact

Soaring Higher

Discipleship – Walking With the Master Part 2

God's Plans

Living Thankful, Living Sober

The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkPRO">
      <div class="chapter ch1" data-usfm="PRO.1">
         <div class="label">1</div><div class="ms1"><span class="heading">Purpose and Theme</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PRO.1.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PRO.1.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PRO.1.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">for gaining wisdom and instruction;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PRO.1.2"><span class="content">for understanding words of insight;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PRO.1.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.1.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.1.3"><span class="content">doing what is right and just and fair;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PRO.1.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PRO.1.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">for giving prudence to those who are simple,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">1:4 </span><span class="ft">The Hebrew word rendered </span><span class="fq">simple </span><span class="ft">in Proverbs denotes a person who is gullible, without moral direction and inclined to evil.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PRO.1.4"><span class="content">knowledge and discretion to the young&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PRO.1.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PRO.1.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">let the wise listen and add to their learning,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PRO.1.5"><span class="content">and let the discerning get guidance&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PRO.1.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PRO.1.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">for understanding proverbs and parables,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PRO.1.6"><span class="content">the sayings and riddles of the wise.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">1:6 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">understanding a proverb, namely, a parable, / and the sayings of the wise, their riddles</span></span></span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PRO.1.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PRO.1.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">The fear of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> is the beginning of knowledge,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PRO.1.7"><span class="content">but fools</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">1:7 </span><span class="ft">The Hebrew words rendered </span><span class="fq">fool </span><span class="ft">in Proverbs, and often elsewhere in the Old Testament, denote a person who is morally deficient.</span></span></span><span class="content"> despise wisdom and instruction.</span></span></div><div class="ms1"><span class="heading">Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom</span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PRO.1.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PRO.1.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Listen, my son, to your father&#8217;s instruction</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PRO.1.8"><span class="content">and do not forsake your mother&#8217;s teaching.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PRO.1.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PRO.1.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">They are a garland to grace your head</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PRO.1.9"><span class="content">and a chain to adorn your neck.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PRO.1.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PRO.1.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">My son, if sinful men entice you,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PRO.1.10"><span class="content">do not give in to them.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PRO.1.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PRO.1.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">If they say, &#8220;Come along with us;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PRO.1.11"><span class="content">let&#8217;s lie in wait for innocent blood,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PRO.1.11"><span class="content">let&#8217;s ambush some harmless soul;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PRO.1.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PRO.1.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">let&#8217;s swallow them alive, like the grave,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PRO.1.12"><span class="content">and whole, like those who go down to the pit;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PRO.1.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PRO.1.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">we will get all sorts of valuable things</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PRO.1.13"><span class="content">and fill our houses with plunder;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PRO.1.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PRO.1.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">cast lots with us;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PRO.1.14"><span class="content">we will all share the loot&#8221;&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PRO.1.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PRO.1.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">my son, do not go along with them,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PRO.1.15"><span class="content">do not set foot on their paths;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PRO.1.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PRO.1.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">for their feet rush into evil,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PRO.1.16"><span class="content">they are swift to shed blood.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PRO.1.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.1.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">How useless to spread a net</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.1.17"><span class="content">where every bird can see it!</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="PRO.1.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PRO.1.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">These men lie in wait for their own blood;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PRO.1.18"><span class="content">they ambush only themselves!</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="PRO.1.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.1.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.1.19"><span class="content">it takes away the life of those who get it.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Wisdom&#8217;s Rebuke</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="PRO.1.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PRO.1.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PRO.1.20"><span class="content">she raises her voice in the public square;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="PRO.1.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PRO.1.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">on top of the wall</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">1:21 </span><span class="ft">Septuagint; Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">/ at noisy street corners</span></span></span><span class="content"> she cries out,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PRO.1.21"><span class="content">at the city gate she makes her speech:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="PRO.1.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.1.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">&#8220;How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.1.22"><span class="content">How long will mockers delight in mockery</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.1.22"><span class="content">and fools hate knowledge?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="PRO.1.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.1.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">Repent at my rebuke!</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.1.23"><span class="content">Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.1.23"><span class="content">I will make known to you my teachings.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="PRO.1.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="PRO.1.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">But since you refuse to listen when I call</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="PRO.1.24"><span class="content">and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="PRO.1.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="PRO.1.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">since you disregard all my advice</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="PRO.1.25"><span class="content">and do not accept my rebuke,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="PRO.1.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="PRO.1.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="PRO.1.26"><span class="content">I will mock when calamity overtakes you&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="PRO.1.26"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PRO.1.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">when calamity overtakes you like a storm,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PRO.1.27"><span class="content">when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PRO.1.27"><span class="content">when distress and trouble overwhelm you.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="PRO.1.27"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="PRO.1.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">&#8220;Then they will call to me but I will not answer;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="PRO.1.28"><span class="content">they will look for me but will not find me,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="PRO.1.28"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="PRO.1.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">since they hated knowledge</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="PRO.1.29"><span class="content">and did not choose to fear the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="PRO.1.29"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="PRO.1.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">Since they would not accept my advice</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="PRO.1.30"><span class="content">and spurned my rebuke,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="PRO.1.30"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="PRO.1.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">they will eat the fruit of their ways</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="PRO.1.31"><span class="content">and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="PRO.1.31"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="PRO.1.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="PRO.1.32"><span class="content">and the complacency of fools will destroy them;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="PRO.1.32"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="PRO.1.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">but whoever listens to me will live in safety</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="PRO.1.33"><span class="content">and be at ease, without fear of harm.&#8221;</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkPSA">
      <div class="chapter ch91" data-usfm="PSA.91">
         <div class="label">91</div><div class="cl"><span class="heading">Psalm 91</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.91.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.91.1"><span class="content">will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">91:1 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Shaddai</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.91.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.91.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">I will say of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, &#8220;He is my refuge and my fortress,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.91.2"><span class="content">my God, in whom I trust.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.91.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.91.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Surely he will save you</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.91.3"><span class="content">from the fowler&#8217;s snare</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.91.3"><span class="content">and from the deadly pestilence.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.91.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.91.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">He will cover you with his feathers,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.91.4"><span class="content">and under his wings you will find refuge;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.91.4"><span class="content">his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.91.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.91.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">You will not fear the terror of night,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.91.5"><span class="content">nor the arrow that flies by day,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.91.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.91.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.91.6"><span class="content">nor the plague that destroys at midday.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.91.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.91.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">A thousand may fall at your side,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.91.7"><span class="content">ten thousand at your right hand,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.91.7"><span class="content">but it will not come near you.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.91.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.91.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">You will only observe with your eyes</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.91.8"><span class="content">and see the punishment of the wicked.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.91.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.91.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">If you say, &#8220;The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> is my refuge,&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.91.9"><span class="content">and you make the Most High your dwelling,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.91.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.91.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">no harm will overtake you,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.91.10"><span class="content">no disaster will come near your tent.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="PSA.91.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.91.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">For he will command his angels concerning you</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.91.11"><span class="content">to guard you in all your ways;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="PSA.91.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.91.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">they will lift you up in their hands,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.91.12"><span class="content">so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="PSA.91.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.91.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">You will tread on the lion and the cobra;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.91.13"><span class="content">you will trample the great lion and the serpent.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="PSA.91.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.91.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">&#8220;Because he</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">91:14 </span><span class="ft">That is, probably the king</span></span></span><span class="content"> loves me,&#8221; says the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, &#8220;I will rescue him;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.91.14"><span class="content">I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="PSA.91.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.91.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">He will call on me, and I will answer him;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.91.15"><span class="content">I will be with him in trouble,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.91.15"><span class="content">I will deliver him and honor him.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="PSA.91.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.91.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">With long life I will satisfy him</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="PSA.91.16"><span class="content">and show him my salvation.&#8221;</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkREV">
      <div class="chapter ch2" data-usfm="REV.2">
         <div class="label">2</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">To the Church in Ephesus</span></div><div class="m"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="REV.2.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;To the angel</span></span><span class="content">  </span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="ft">  </span><span class="fr">2:1 </span><span class="ft">  </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="ft">  </span><span class="fqa">messenger</span><span class="ft">  </span><span class="ft">; also in verses 8, 12 and 18</span><span class="ft">  </span></span></span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">of the church in Ephesus write:</span></span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="pi1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="REV.2.1"><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="REV.2.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="REV.2.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.</span></span></span></div><div class="pi1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="REV.2.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="REV.2.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="REV.2.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="REV.2.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.</span></span></span></div><div class="pi1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="REV.2.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="REV.2.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.</span></span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">To the Church in Smyrna</span></div><div class="m"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="REV.2.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="REV.2.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:</span></span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="pi1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="REV.2.8"><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="REV.2.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">I know your afflictions and your poverty&#8212;yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="REV.2.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor&#8217;s crown.</span></span></span></div><div class="pi1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="REV.2.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="REV.2.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.</span></span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">To the Church in Pergamum</span></div><div class="m"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="REV.2.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="REV.2.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:</span></span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="pi1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="REV.2.12"><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="REV.2.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">I know where you live&#8212;where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city&#8212;where Satan lives.</span></span></span></div><div class="pi1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="REV.2.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="REV.2.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="REV.2.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="REV.2.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.</span></span></span></div><div class="pi1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="REV.2.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="REV.2.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.</span></span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">To the Church in Thyatira</span></div><div class="m"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="REV.2.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="REV.2.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8220;To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:</span></span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="pi1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="REV.2.18"><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="REV.2.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.</span></span></span></div><div class="pi1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="REV.2.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="REV.2.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="REV.2.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="REV.2.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="REV.2.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.</span></span></span></div><div class="pi1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="REV.2.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="REV.2.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan&#8217;s so-called deep secrets, &#8216;I will not impose any other burden on you,</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="REV.2.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">except to hold on to what you have until I come.&#8217;</span></span></span></div><div class="pi1"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="REV.2.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="REV.2.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="wj"><span class="content">To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations&#8212;</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="REV.2.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">that one &#8216;will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery&#8217;</span></span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:27 </span><span class="ft">Psalm 2:9</span></span></span><span class="wj"><span class="content">&#8212;just as I have received authority from my Father.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="REV.2.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">I will also give that one the morning star.</span></span><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="REV.2.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="wj"><span class="content">Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.</span></span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkEZR">
      <div class="chapter ch10" data-usfm="EZR.10">
         <div class="label">10</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The People&#8217;s Confession of Sin</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="EZR.10.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites&#8212;men, women and children&#8212;gathered around him. They too wept bitterly. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="EZR.10.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Then Shekaniah son of Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam, said to Ezra, &#8220;We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="EZR.10.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="EZR.10.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="EZR.10.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="EZR.10.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">So Ezra rose up and put the leading priests and Levites and all Israel under oath to do what had been suggested. And they took the oath. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="EZR.10.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and went to the room of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. While he was there, he ate no food and drank no water, because he continued to mourn over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="EZR.10.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="EZR.10.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">A proclamation was then issued throughout Judah and Jerusalem for all the exiles to assemble in Jerusalem. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="EZR.10.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Anyone who failed to appear within three days would forfeit all his property, in accordance with the decision of the officials and elders, and would himself be expelled from the assembly of the exiles.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="EZR.10.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="EZR.10.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Within the three days, all the men of Judah and Benjamin had gathered in Jerusalem. And on the twentieth day of the ninth month, all the people were sitting in the square before the house of God, greatly distressed by the occasion and because of the rain. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="EZR.10.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, &#8220;You have been unfaithful; you have married foreign women, adding to Israel&#8217;s guilt. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="EZR.10.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Now honor</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">10:11 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">Now make confession to</span></span></span><span class="content"> the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, the God of your ancestors, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the peoples around you and from your foreign wives.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="EZR.10.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="EZR.10.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">The whole assembly responded with a loud voice: &#8220;You are right! We must do as you say. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="EZR.10.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">But there are many people here and it is the rainy season; so we cannot stand outside. Besides, this matter cannot be taken care of in a day or two, because we have sinned greatly in this thing. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="EZR.10.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Let our officials act for the whole assembly. Then let everyone in our towns who has married a foreign woman come at a set time, along with the elders and judges of each town, until the fierce anger of our God in this matter is turned away from us.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="EZR.10.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah, supported by Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite, opposed this.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="EZR.10.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="EZR.10.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">So the exiles did as was proposed. Ezra the priest selected men who were family heads, one from each family division, and all of them designated by name. On the first day of the tenth month they sat down to investigate the cases, </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="EZR.10.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">and by the first day of the first month they finished dealing with all the men who had married foreign women.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Those Guilty of Intermarriage</span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="EZR.10.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="EZR.10.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Among the descendants of the priests, the following had married foreign women:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="EZR.10.18"><span class="content">From the descendants of Joshua son of Jozadak, and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib and Gedaliah. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="EZR.10.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">(They all gave their hands in pledge to put away their wives, and for their guilt they each presented a ram from the flock as a guilt offering.)</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="EZR.10.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EZR.10.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Immer:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EZR.10.20"><span class="content">Hanani and Zebadiah.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EZR.10.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="EZR.10.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Harim:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="EZR.10.21"><span class="content">Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel and Uzziah.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="EZR.10.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="EZR.10.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Pashhur:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="EZR.10.22"><span class="content">Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad and Elasah.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="EZR.10.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="EZR.10.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">Among the Levites:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="EZR.10.23"><span class="content">Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that is, Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah and Eliezer.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="EZR.10.23"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="EZR.10.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">From the musicians:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="EZR.10.24"><span class="content">Eliashib.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="EZR.10.24"><span class="content">From the gatekeepers:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="EZR.10.24"><span class="content">Shallum, Telem and Uri.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="EZR.10.24"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="EZR.10.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">And among the other Israelites:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="EZR.10.25"><span class="content">From the descendants of Parosh:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="EZR.10.25"><span class="content">Ramiah, Izziah, Malkijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malkijah and Benaiah.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="EZR.10.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="EZR.10.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Elam:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="EZR.10.26"><span class="content">Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth and Elijah.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="EZR.10.26"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="EZR.10.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Zattu:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="EZR.10.27"><span class="content">Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad and Aziza.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="EZR.10.27"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="EZR.10.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Bebai:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="EZR.10.28"><span class="content">Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai and Athlai.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="EZR.10.28"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="EZR.10.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Bani:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="EZR.10.29"><span class="content">Meshullam, Malluk, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal and Jeremoth.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="EZR.10.29"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="EZR.10.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Pahath-Moab:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="EZR.10.30"><span class="content">Adna, Kelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui and Manasseh.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="EZR.10.30"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="EZR.10.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Harim:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="EZR.10.31"><span class="content">Eliezer, Ishijah, Malkijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="EZR.10.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">Benjamin, Malluk and Shemariah.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="EZR.10.32"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="EZR.10.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Hashum:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="EZR.10.33"><span class="content">Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh and Shimei.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="EZR.10.33"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="EZR.10.34"><span class="label">34</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Bani:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v34" data-usfm="EZR.10.34"><span class="content">Maadai, Amram, Uel, </span></span><span class="verse v35" data-usfm="EZR.10.35"><span class="label">35</span><span class="content">Benaiah, Bedeiah, Keluhi, </span></span><span class="verse v36" data-usfm="EZR.10.36"><span class="label">36</span><span class="content">Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, </span></span><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="EZR.10.37"><span class="label">37</span><span class="content">Mattaniah, Mattenai and Jaasu.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v37" data-usfm="EZR.10.37"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="EZR.10.38"><span class="label">38</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Binnui:</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">10:37,38 </span><span class="ft">See Septuagint (also 1 Esdras 9:34); Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Jaasu </span><span class="fv">38 </span><span class="fqa">and Bani and Binnui,</span></span></span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v38" data-usfm="EZR.10.38"><span class="content">Shimei, </span></span><span class="verse v39" data-usfm="EZR.10.39"><span class="label">39</span><span class="content">Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, </span></span><span class="verse v40" data-usfm="EZR.10.40"><span class="label">40</span><span class="content">Maknadebai, Shashai, Sharai, </span></span><span class="verse v41" data-usfm="EZR.10.41"><span class="label">41</span><span class="content">Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, </span></span><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="EZR.10.42"><span class="label">42</span><span class="content">Shallum, Amariah and Joseph.</span></span></div><div class="li1"><span class="verse v42" data-usfm="EZR.10.42"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="EZR.10.43"><span class="label">43</span><span class="content">From the descendants of Nebo:</span></span></div><div class="li2"><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="EZR.10.43"><span class="content">Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel and Benaiah.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v43" data-usfm="EZR.10.43"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v44" data-usfm="EZR.10.44"><span class="label">44</span><span class="content">All these had married foreign women, and some of them had children by these wives.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">10:44 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">and they sent them away with their children</span></span></span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkNEH">
      <div class="chapter ch1" data-usfm="NEH.1">
         <div class="label">1</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Nehemiah&#8217;s Prayer</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NEH.1.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NEH.1.1"><span class="content">In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.1.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.1.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.1.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">They said to me, &#8220;Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.1.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.1.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.1.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Then I said:</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.1.5"><span class="content">&#8220;</span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.1.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father&#8217;s family, have committed against you. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NEH.1.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NEH.1.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NEH.1.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">&#8220;Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, &#8216;If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.1.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.&#8217;</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.1.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NEH.1.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">&#8220;They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.1.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.1.11"><span class="content">I was cupbearer to the king.</span></span></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkNEH">
      <div class="chapter ch2" data-usfm="NEH.2">
         <div class="label">2</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NEH.2.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.2.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">so the king asked me, &#8220;Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.2.2"><span class="content">I was very much afraid, </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.2.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">but I said to the king, &#8220;May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.2.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.2.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">The king said to me, &#8220;What is it you want?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.2.4"><span class="content">Then I prayed to the God of heaven, </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.2.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">and I answered the king, &#8220;If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.2.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.2.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, &#8220;How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?&#8221; It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.2.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NEH.2.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">I also said to him, &#8220;If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NEH.2.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?&#8221; And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.2.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king&#8217;s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.2.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NEH.2.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem&#8217;s Walls</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NEH.2.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.2.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.2.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.2.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.2.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">2:13 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">Serpent </span><span class="ft">or </span><span class="fqa">Fig</span></span></span><span class="content"> Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NEH.2.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King&#8217;s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.2.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NEH.2.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NEH.2.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NEH.2.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Then I said to them, &#8220;You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.2.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.2.18"><span class="content">They replied, &#8220;Let us start rebuilding.&#8221; So they began this good work.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.2.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NEH.2.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. &#8220;What is this you are doing?&#8221; they asked. &#8220;Are you rebelling against the king?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NEH.2.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NEH.2.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">I answered them by saying, &#8220;The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.&#8221;</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkNEH">
      <div class="chapter ch3" data-usfm="NEH.3">
         <div class="label">3</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Builders of the Wall</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NEH.3.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.3.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zakkur son of Imri built next to them.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.3.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.3.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.3.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.3.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">3:5 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">their Lord </span><span class="ft">or </span><span class="fqa">the governor</span></span></span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.3.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.3.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">The Jeshanah</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">3:6 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">Old</span></span></span><span class="content"> Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NEH.3.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Next to them, repairs were made by men from Gibeon and Mizpah&#8212;Melatiah of Gibeon and Jadon of Meronoth&#8212;places under the authority of the governor of Trans-Euphrates. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NEH.3.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section; and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.3.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NEH.3.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Adjoining this, Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house, and Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs next to him. </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.3.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Malkijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section and the Tower of the Ovens. </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.3.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section with the help of his daughters.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.3.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.3.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Zanoah. They rebuilt it and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place. They also repaired a thousand cubits</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">3:13 </span><span class="ft">That is, about 1,500 feet or about 450 meters</span></span></span><span class="content"> of the wall as far as the Dung Gate.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.3.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NEH.3.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Rekab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem. He rebuilt it and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NEH.3.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.3.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Kol-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah. He rebuilt it, roofing it over and putting its doors and bolts and bars in place. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Siloam,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">3:15 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Shelah, </span><span class="ft">a variant of </span><span class="fqa">Shiloah, </span><span class="ft">that is, Siloam</span></span></span><span class="content"> by the King&#8217;s Garden, as far as the steps going down from the City of David. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NEH.3.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">Beyond him, Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of a half-district of Beth Zur, made repairs up to a point opposite the tombs</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">3:16 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew; Septuagint, some Vulgate manuscripts and Syriac </span><span class="fqa">tomb</span></span></span><span class="content"> of David, as far as the artificial pool and the House of the Heroes.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NEH.3.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NEH.3.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Next to him, the repairs were made by the Levites under Rehum son of Bani. Beside him, Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, carried out repairs for his district. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.3.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Next to him, the repairs were made by their fellow Levites under Binnui</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">3:18 </span><span class="ft">Two Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac (see also Septuagint and verse 24); most Hebrew manuscripts </span><span class="fqa">Bavvai</span></span></span><span class="content"> son of Henadad, ruler of the other half-district of Keilah. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NEH.3.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Next to him, Ezer son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section, from a point facing the ascent to the armory as far as the angle of the wall. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NEH.3.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the angle to the entrance of the house of Eliashib the high priest. </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NEH.3.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">Next to him, Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired another section, from the entrance of Eliashib&#8217;s house to the end of it.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NEH.3.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="NEH.3.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">The repairs next to him were made by the priests from the surrounding region. </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NEH.3.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">Beyond them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house; and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house. </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="NEH.3.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">Next to him, Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section, from Azariah&#8217;s house to the angle and the corner, </span></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="NEH.3.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">and Palal son of Uzai worked opposite the angle and the tower projecting from the upper palace near the court of the guard. Next to him, Pedaiah son of Parosh </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="NEH.3.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs up to a point opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower. </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="NEH.3.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">Next to them, the men of Tekoa repaired another section, from the great projecting tower to the wall of Ophel.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="NEH.3.27"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="NEH.3.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">Above the Horse Gate, the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house. </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="NEH.3.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house. Next to him, Shemaiah son of Shekaniah, the guard at the East Gate, made repairs. </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="NEH.3.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">Next to him, Hananiah son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. Next to them, Meshullam son of Berekiah made repairs opposite his living quarters. </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="NEH.3.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">Next to him, Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the room above the corner; </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="NEH.3.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">and between the room above the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkNEH">
      <div class="chapter ch4" data-usfm="NEH.4">
         <div class="label">4</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Opposition to the Rebuilding</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="ft">  </span><span class="ft">In Hebrew texts 4:1-6 is numbered 3:33-38, and 4:7-23 is numbered 4:1-17.</span><span class="ft">  </span></span></span><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NEH.4.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.4.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, &#8220;What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble&#8212;burned as they are?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.4.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.4.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, &#8220;What they are building&#8212;even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.4.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.4.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.4.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">4:5 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">have aroused your anger before</span></span></span><span class="content"> the builders.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.4.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.4.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.4.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NEH.4.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem&#8217;s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NEH.4.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.4.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.4.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NEH.4.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, &#8220;The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NEH.4.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.4.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Also our enemies said, &#8220;Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.4.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.4.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, &#8220;Wherever you turn, they will attack us.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.4.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.4.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NEH.4.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, &#8220;Don&#8217;t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NEH.4.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.4.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.4.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NEH.4.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NEH.4.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.4.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.4.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NEH.4.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, &#8220;The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NEH.4.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="NEH.4.20"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="NEH.4.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out. </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="NEH.4.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">At that time I also said to the people, &#8220;Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day.&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="NEH.4.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">4:23 </span><span class="ft">The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.</span></span></span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkNEH">
      <div class="chapter ch5" data-usfm="NEH.5">
         <div class="label">5</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Nehemiah Helps the Poor</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NEH.5.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.5.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Some were saying, &#8220;We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.5.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.5.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Others were saying, &#8220;We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.5.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.5.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Still others were saying, &#8220;We have had to borrow money to pay the king&#8217;s tax on our fields and vineyards. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.5.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.5.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.5.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NEH.5.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, &#8220;You are charging your own people interest!&#8221; So I called together a large meeting to deal with them </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NEH.5.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">and said: &#8220;As far as possible, we have bought back our fellow Jews who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!&#8221; They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NEH.5.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.5.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">So I continued, &#8220;What you are doing is not right. Shouldn&#8217;t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NEH.5.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.5.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them&#8212;one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.5.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.5.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">&#8220;We will give it back,&#8221; they said. &#8220;And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.5.12"><span class="content">Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.5.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, &#8220;In this way may God shake out of their house and possessions anyone who does not keep this promise. So may such a person be shaken out and emptied!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.5.13"><span class="content">At this the whole assembly said, &#8220;Amen,&#8221; and praised the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">. And the people did as they had promised.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.5.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NEH.5.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year&#8212;twelve years&#8212;neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.5.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">But the earlier governors&#8212;those preceding me&#8212;placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">5:15 </span><span class="ft">That is, about 1 pound or about 460 grams</span></span></span><span class="content"> of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NEH.5.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">5:16 </span><span class="ft">Most Hebrew manuscripts; some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac </span><span class="fqa">I</span></span></span><span class="content"> did not acquire any land.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NEH.5.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NEH.5.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.5.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.5.18"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NEH.5.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkNEH">
      <div class="chapter ch6" data-usfm="NEH.6">
         <div class="label">6</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Further Opposition to the Rebuilding</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="NEH.6.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it&#8212;though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates&#8212; </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.6.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: &#8220;Come, let us meet together in one of the villages</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">6:2 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">in Kephirim</span></span></span><span class="content"> on the plain of Ono.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="NEH.6.2"><span class="content">But they were scheming to harm me; </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="NEH.6.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">so I sent messengers to them with this reply: &#8220;I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.6.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="NEH.6.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="NEH.6.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.6.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">in which was written:</span></span></div><div class="pm"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="NEH.6.6"><span class="content">&#8220;It is reported among the nations&#8212;and Geshem</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="fr">6:6 </span><span class="ft">Hebrew </span><span class="fqa">Gashmu, </span><span class="ft">a variant of </span><span class="fq">Geshem</span></span></span><span class="content"> says it is true&#8212;that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NEH.6.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: &#8216;There is a king in Judah!&#8217; Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="NEH.6.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NEH.6.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">I sent him this reply: &#8220;Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="NEH.6.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.6.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, &#8220;Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.6.9"><span class="content">But I prayed, &#8220;Now strengthen my hands.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="NEH.6.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NEH.6.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, &#8220;Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you&#8212;by night they are coming to kill you.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="NEH.6.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="NEH.6.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">But I said, &#8220;Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!&#8221; </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="NEH.6.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.6.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="NEH.6.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="NEH.6.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.6.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Opposition to the Completed Wall</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="NEH.6.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NEH.6.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="NEH.6.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="NEH.6.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Also, in those days the nobles of Judah were sending many letters to Tobiah, and replies from Tobiah kept coming to them. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="NEH.6.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">For many in Judah were under oath to him, since he was son-in-law to Shekaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="NEH.6.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Moreover, they kept reporting to me his good deeds and then telling him what I said. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.</span></span></div>
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