But God made me strong.

10 One day I went to the home of Shemaiah, son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel. Shemaiah who was confined to his house, said, "Let's meet in the house of Elohim, inside the temple, and close the temple doors. Some men are coming at night to kill you."

11 But I asked, "Should a man like me run away? Would a man like me go into the temple to save his life? I won't go."

12 Then I realized that Elohim hadn't sent him. Instead, Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him to prophesy against me. 13 He was hired to intimidate me into doing this so that I would sin. Then they could give me a bad reputation in order to discredit me.

14 Nehemiah prayed, "My Elohim, remember what Tobiah and Sanballat have done. Also, remember the female prophet Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me."

The Wall Rebuilt in Spite of Opposition 15 The wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Elul. The wall took 52 days to finish. 16 When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence. They realized we had done this work with the help of our Elohim .

Traitors on the Inside 17 In those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah sent many letters back to them. 18 Many in Judah had promised to support Tobiah because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah, Arah's son. In addition, Tobiah's son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam, Berechiah's son. 19 The nobles were singing Tobiah's praises to me and reporting to him what I said. Tobiah kept sending letters to intimidate me.

Nehemiah Places Hanani and Hananiah in Charge of Guarding the City Gates 7 1 The gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites were assigned their duties after the wall had been rebuilt and I had hung the doors. 2 I put my brother Hanani and Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, in charge of Jerusalem. Hananiah was a trustworthy man, and he feared Elohim more than most people do. 3 I told them, "The gates of Jerusalem should not be opened at the hottest time of the day. While the gatekeepers are still standing there, they should shut the doors and bar them. Order some of the men in Jerusalem to stand guard, some at their posts and others in front of their homes." 4 The city was large and wide-open. Few people were in it, and no houses were being built.

The First Jewish Exiles Who Returned to Jerusalem 5 Then my Elohim put the idea into my head that I should gather the nobles, leaders, and people so that they could check their genealogy. I found the book with the genealogy of those who came back the first time. I found the following written in it: 6 These were the people in the province. They were the ones who left the place where the exiles had been taken captive. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had taken them captive. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah. All of them went to their own cities. 7 They went with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah.

Families Listed by Ancestor-Ezra 2:3-20 This is the number of Israelite men from the people in exile: 8 the descendants of Parosh 2,172 9 of Shephatiah 372 10 of Arah 652 11 of Pahath Moab, that is, of Jeshua and Joab 2,818 12 of Elam 1,254 13 of Zattu 845 14 of Zaccai 760 15 of Binnui 648 16 of Bebai 628 17 of Azgad 2,322 18 of Adonikam 667 19 of Bigvai 2,067 20 of Adin 655 21 of Ater, that is, Hezekiah 98 22 of Hashum 328 23 of Bezai 324 24 of Hariph 112 25 of Gibeon 95 Families Listed by Towns-Ezra 2:21-35 26 the people of Bethlehem and Netophah 188 27 of Anathoth 128 28 of Beth Azmaveth 42 29 of Kiriath Jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth 743 30 of Ramah and Geba 621 31 of Michmas 122 32 of Bethel and Ai 123 33 of the other Nebo 52 34 of the other Elam 1,254 35 of Harim 320 36 of Jericho 345 37 of Lod, Hadid, and Ono 721 38 of Senaah 3,930 Priests-Ezra 2:36-39 39 These priests returned from exile: the descendants of Jedaiah (through the family of Jeshua) 973 40 of Immer 1,052 41 of Pashhur 1,247 42 of Harim 1,017 Levites-Ezra 2:40-42 43 These Levites returned from exile: the descendants of Jeshua, that is, of Kadmiel and of Hodeiah 74 44 These singers returned from exile: he descendants of Asaph 148 45 These gatekeepers returned from exile: the descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai 138 Temple Servants-Ezra 2:43-54 46 These temple servants returned from exile: the descendants of Ziha, Hasupha, Tabbaoth, 47 Keros, Sia, Padon, 48 Lebanah, Hagabah, Shalmai, 49 Hanan, Giddel, Gahar, 50 Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda, 51 Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah, 52 Besai, Meunim, Nephusheshim, 53 Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur, 54 Bazlith, Mehida, Harsha, 55 Barkos, Sisera, Temah, 56 Neziah, and Hatipha.

Descendants of Solomon's Servants-Ezra 2:55-58 57 These descendants of Solomon's servants returned from exile: the descendants of Sotai, Sophereth, Perida, 58 Jaala, Darkon, Giddel, 59 Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth Hazzebaim, and Amon.

60 The temple servants and the descendants of Solomon's servants totaled 392.

Those of Unknown Origin-Ezra 2:59-63 61 The following people came from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, but they couldn't prove they were Israelites on the basis of their father's family or their genealogy: 62 the descendants of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda. These people totaled 642.

63 These priests couldn't prove they were Israelites: the descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai (who had married one of the daughters of Barzillai from Gilead and took that family name). 64 These people searched for their family names in the genealogical records, but their names couldn't be found there. For this reason they were considered contaminated and couldn't be priests. 65 The governor told them not to eat any of the most holy food until a priest could use the Urim and Thummima to settle the problem.

The Total of the People and Animals Returning from Exile-Ezra 2:64-67 66 The whole assembly totaled 42,360. 67 In addition to the male and female servants who numbered 7,337, they also had 245 male and female singers. 68 They had 736 horses, 245 mules,b 69 435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.

Gifts Given for the Temple-Ezra 2:68-70 70 Some of the heads of the families contributed to this work. The governor contributed the following to the treasury: nearly 18 pounds of gold, 50 bowls, and 530 robes for the priests. 71 Some of the heads of the families contributed to the treasury for this work: 337 pounds of gold and 3,215 pounds of silver. 72 The rest of the people contributed 337 pounds of gold, 2,923 pounds of silver, and 67 robes for the priests.

73 The priests, Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and the rest of Israel settled in their own cities. When the seventh month came, the people of Israel were in their own cities.

The Public Reading of Moses' Teachings 8 1 When the seventh month came, all the people gathered together in the courtyard in front of Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of Moses' Teachings, which Yahweh had commanded Israel to follow. 2 Then Ezra the priest brought the Teachings in front of the assembly. This included men, women, and any children who could understand what they heard. This took place on the first day of the seventh month. 3 From daybreak until noon, he read from it in the courtyard in front of Water Gate to the men, women, and children who could understand it. All the people listened to the Book of Moses' Teachings.

4 Ezra the scribe stood on a raised wooden platform made for this occasion. Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah stood beside him on his right. Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchiah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam stood beside him on his left. 5 Ezra, standing higher than all the other people, opened the book in front of all the people. As he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Ezra thanked Yahweh, the great Elohim. All the people responded, "Amen! Amen!" as they raised their hands and then bowed with their faces to the ground and worshiped Yahweh. 7 The Levites-Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah-explained the Teachings to the people while they were standing there. 8 They read the Book of Elohim's Teachings clearly and explained the meaning so that the people could understand what was read.

9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people told them, "This is a holy day for Yahweh your Elohim. Don't mourn or cry." All the people were crying as they listened to the reading of God's Teachings. 10 Then he told them, "Go, eat rich foods, drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who cannot provide for themselves. Today is a holy day for Adonay . Don't be sad because the joy you have in Yahweh is your strength." 11 So the Levites calmed all the people by saying, "Listen. Today is a holy day. Don't be sad."

12 Then all the people went to eat and drink and to send portions. They had a big, joyful celebration because they understood the words that had been explained to them.

The Festival of Booths Is Observed 13 On the second day the leaders of the families of all the people, including the priests and the Levites, met with Ezra the scribe to study the words of God's Teachings. 14 They found written in the Teachings that Yahweh had given an order through Moses that the people of Israel should live in booths during a festival in the seventh month. 15 They should announce this command and send this message throughout all their cities and Jerusalem: "Go to the mountains, and get branches-olive and wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other thick-leaved branches-to make booths as it is written."

16 So the people went to get branches to make booths for themselves. Some made booths on their roofs, others in their courtyards, in the courtyards of Elohim's temple, in the open area by Water Gate, or in the open area at Ephraim Gate.

17 The whole assembly that had come back from exile made booths and lived in them. From the time of Jeshua (son of Nun) to that day, the people of Israel had not done this. There was a big, joyful celebration. 18 Day by day, from the first day of the festival to the last day, Ezra continued to read from the Book of Elohim's Teachings. The people celebrated the festival for seven days, and on the eighth day, they had a closing festival assembly in accordance with the regulations.

A Day of Fasting and Confession 9 1 When the Israelites assembled on the twenty-fourth day of this month, they fasted, wore sackcloth, and threw dirt on their heads. 2 Those who were descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood and confessed their sins as well as the wicked things their ancestors had done. 3 They stood in their places, and for one-fourth of the day, they listened as the Book of the Teachings of Yahweh their Elohim was read, and for another fourth of the day, they confessed their sins and worshiped Yahweh their Elohim.

A Day of Prayer 4 Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chanani stood on the stairs built for the Levites and cried loudly to Yahweh their Elohim. 5 Then the Levites-Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah-said, "Stand up, and thank Yahweh your Elohim: Creation From everlasting to everlasting your glorious name is praised and lifted high above all blessing and praise.

6 You alone are Yahweh.

You made heaven, the highest heaven, with all its armies.

You made the earth and everything on it, the seas and everything in them.

You give life to them all, and the armies of heaven worship you.

Abraham 7 You are Yahweh , the Elohim who chose Abram and took him from Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham.

8 You found that his heart was faithful to you.

You made a promisea to him to give the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Girgashites to his descendants.

You kept your promise because you are fair.

The Exodus 9 You saw how our ancestors suffered in Egypt, and you heard them crying at the Red Sea.

10 You performed miraculous signs and did amazing things to Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people in his land because you knew how arrogantly they were treating our ancestors.

You made a name for yourself, a name which remains to this day.

11 You divided the sea in front of them so that they could walk through the sea on dry ground.

You threw into deep water those who pursued your people as someone throws a stone into raging water.

Wandering in the Wilderness 12 You led them during the day by a column of smoke and during the night by a column of fire to give them light to see the way they should go.

13 You came from heaven to Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven.

You gave them fair rules, trustworthy teachings, and good laws and commandments.

14 You taught them about your holy day of worship.

You gave them commandments, laws, and teachings through your servant Moses.

15 You gave them bread from heaven to satisfy their hunger and made water flow from a rock to quench their thirst.

You told them to take possession of the land that you swore you would give them.

16 But they-our own ancestors-acted arrogantly.

They became stubborn and wouldn't obey your commands.

17 They refused to listen.

They forgot the miracles you performed for them.

They became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to slavery in Egypt.

But you are a forgiving Elohim, one who is compassionate, merciful, patient, and always ready to forgive.

You never abandoned them, 18 even when they made a metal statue of a calf for themselves and said, 'This is your god who took you out of Egypt.'

They committed outrageous sins.

19 But because of your endless compassion, you didn't abandon them in the desert.

The column of smoke didn't leave them during the day, but it led them on their way.

The column of fire didn't leave them during the night, but it gave them light to see the way they should go.

20 You gave them your good Ruach to teach them.

You didn't keep your manna to yourself.

You gave them water to quench their thirst.

21 You provided for them in the desert for 40 years, and they had everything they needed.

Their clothes didn't wear out, and their feet didn't swell.

Conquest of Canaan 22 You gave kingdoms and nations to the Israelites and assigned them their boundaries.

So they took possession of the land of Sihon, the land of the king of Heshbon, and the land of King Og of Bashan.

23 You made their children as numerous as the stars in the sky.

You brought them into the land you told their parents to enter and possess.

24 Their children took possession of the land.

You defeated for them the Canaanites, who lived in the land.

You handed the Canaanite kings and their people over to them to do whatever they wanted with the Canaanites.

25 The Israelites captured fortified cities and a rich land.

They took possession of houses filled with all sorts of good things, cisterns, vineyards, olive trees, and plenty of fruit trees.

So they ate and were satisfied and grew fat.

They enjoyed the vast supply of good things you gave them.

Israel's Rebellion 26 But they were defiant and rebelled against you.

They threw your teachings over their shoulders and killed your prophets who warned them to turn back to you.

They committed outrageous sins.

27 You handed them over to their enemies, who made them suffer.

When they began to suffer, they cried to you.

You heard them from heaven.

You gave them saviors to rescue them from their enemies because of your endless compassion.

28 As soon as they felt some relief, they were again doing what you considered evil.

You abandoned them to their enemies, who conquered them.

They cried to you again, and you heard them from heaven.

You rescued them many times because of your compassion.

29 You warned them in order to bring them back to your teachings, but they became arrogant and would not obey your commandments.

They sinned by not following your regulations.

If anyone follows them, he will find life in them.

But they gave you the cold shoulder, became impossible to deal with, and wouldn't listen.

30 You were patient with them for many years.

You warned them by your Ruach through your prophets.

However, they wouldn't listen.

So you handed them over to the people in the surrounding nations.

31 But your compassion is endless.

You didn't destroy them or abandon them.

You are a merciful and compassionate El.

The Present 32 And now, our Elohim , you are the great, mighty, and awe-inspiring El.

You faithfully keep your promises.

Do not consider all the hardships that we have been going through as unimportant.

The hardships have come to our kings, leaders, priests, prophets, ancestors, and all your people from the time of the kings of Assyria until now.

33 But you were fair about everything that has happened to us.