Aussie Bible logo Aussie BibleFair Dinkum Edition

Nehemiah 12

Now these are the priests and the Levites who went up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah,

Now reading: Fair DinkumRead:

You’re in Study Mode. Each verse can show the Fair Dinkum, Plain English and King James Version (1611) together. Use the buttons above to show or hide any version.

The priests and Levites

Now these are the priests and the Levites who went up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah, Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah, Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the leaders of the priests and their brothers in the days of Jeshua. And the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who with his brothers was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving. And Bakbukiah and Unni, their brothers, stood opposite them in the services. And Jeshua fathered Joiakim, and Joiakim fathered Eliashib, and Eliashib fathered Joiada, and Joiada fathered Jonathan, and Jonathan fathered Jaddua. And in the days of Joiakim these were the priests who were heads of families: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph; of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam; of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin and of Moadiah, Piltai; of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel. In the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan and Jaddua, the Levites were recorded as heads of families, and so were the priests, down to the reign of Darius the Persian. The sons of Levi, the heads of families, were written in the book of the chronicles down to the days of Johanan son of Eliashib. And the chiefs of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, with their brothers standing opposite them, to praise and give thanks, section answering section, as David the man of God had commanded. Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub were gatekeepers, keeping watch at the thresholds of the gates. These served in the days of Joiakim son of Jeshua, son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and Ezra the priest and scribe.

Now these are the priests and the Levites who went up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Joshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluk, Hattush, Shekaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, Iddo, Ginnethon, Abijah, Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, Shemaiah and Joiarib, Jedaiah, Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the heads of the priests and of their brothers in the days of Joshua. And the Levites: Joshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah and Mattaniah, who was over the thanksgiving, he and his brothers. Bakbukiah too and Unni, their brothers, were opposite them in the watches. And Joshua fathered Joiakim, and Joiakim fathered Eliashib, and Eliashib fathered Joiada, and Joiada fathered Jonathan, and Jonathan fathered Jaddua. And in the days of Joiakim, the priests, the heads of the fathers, were: of Seraiah, Meraiah. Of Jeremiah, Hananiah. Of Ezra, Meshullam. Of Amariah, Jehohanan. Of Melicu, Jonathan. Of Shebaniah, Joseph. Of Harim, Adna. Of Meraioth, Helkai. Of Iddo, Zechariah. Of Ginnethon, Meshullam. Of Abijah, Zikri. Of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai. Of Bilgah, Shammua. Of Shemaiah, Jehonathan. And of Joiarib, Mattenai. Of Jedaiah, Uzzi. Of Sallai, Kallai. Of Amok, Eber. Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah. Of Jedaiah, Nethanel. The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada and Johanan and Jaddua were written down as heads of the fathers. And the priests too, to the rule of Darius the Persian. The sons of Levi, the heads of the fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles, right to the days of Johanan son of Eliashib. And the heads of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah and Joshua son of Kadmiel, with their brothers opposite them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the order of David the man of God, watch opposite watch. Mattaniah and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub were gatekeepers, keeping the watch at the storerooms of the gates. These were in the days of Joiakim son of Joshua son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.

Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, Amariah, Malluch, Hattush, Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth, Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah, Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah, Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah, Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the chief of the priests and of their brethren in the days of Jeshua. Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren. Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches. And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada, And Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua. And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah; Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan; Of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph; Of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai; Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam; Of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai; Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan; And of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi; Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber; Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel. The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian. The sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib. And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward. Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates. These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.

1

Now these are the priests and the Levites who went up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and with Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,

Plain English

Now these are the priests and the Levites who went up with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Joshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,

King James Version, 1611

Now these are the priests and the Levites that went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremiah, Ezra,

2

Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,

Plain English

Amariah, Malluk, Hattush,

King James Version, 1611

Amariah, Malluch, Hattush,

3

Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,

Plain English

Shekaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,

King James Version, 1611

Shechaniah, Rehum, Meremoth,

4

Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah,

Plain English

Iddo, Ginnethon, Abijah,

King James Version, 1611

Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah,

5

Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,

Plain English

Mijamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,

King James Version, 1611

Miamin, Maadiah, Bilgah,

6

Shemaiah, Joiarib, Jedaiah,

Plain English

Shemaiah and Joiarib, Jedaiah,

King James Version, 1611

Shemaiah, and Joiarib, Jedaiah,

7

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

Plain English

Sallu, Amok, Hilkiah, Jedaiah. These were the heads of the priests and of their brothers in the days of Joshua.

King James Version, 1611

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

8

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

Plain English

And the Levites: Joshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah and Mattaniah, who was over the thanksgiving, he and his brothers.

King James Version, 1611

Moreover the Levites: Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving, he and his brethren.

9

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

Plain English

Bakbukiah too and Unni, their brothers, were opposite them in the watches.

King James Version, 1611

Also Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, were over against them in the watches.

10

And Jeshua fathered Joiakim, and Joiakim fathered Eliashib, and Eliashib fathered Joiada,

Plain English

And Joshua fathered Joiakim, and Joiakim fathered Eliashib, and Eliashib fathered Joiada,

King James Version, 1611

And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada,

11

and Joiada fathered Jonathan, and Jonathan fathered Jaddua.

King James Version, 1611

And Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua.

12

And in the days of Joiakim these were the priests who were heads of families: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;

Plain English

And in the days of Joiakim, the priests, the heads of the fathers, were: of Seraiah, Meraiah. Of Jeremiah, Hananiah.

King James Version, 1611

And in the days of Joiakim were priests, the chief of the fathers: of Seraiah, Meraiah; of Jeremiah, Hananiah;

13

of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;

Plain English

Of Ezra, Meshullam. Of Amariah, Jehohanan.

King James Version, 1611

Of Ezra, Meshullam; of Amariah, Jehohanan;

14

of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;

Plain English

Of Melicu, Jonathan. Of Shebaniah, Joseph.

King James Version, 1611

Of Melicu, Jonathan; of Shebaniah, Joseph;

15

of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai;

Plain English

Of Harim, Adna. Of Meraioth, Helkai.

King James Version, 1611

Of Harim, Adna; of Meraioth, Helkai;

16

of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;

Plain English

Of Iddo, Zechariah. Of Ginnethon, Meshullam.

King James Version, 1611

Of Iddo, Zechariah; of Ginnethon, Meshullam;

17

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

Plain English

Of Abijah, Zikri. Of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai.

King James Version, 1611

Of Abijah, Zichri; of Miniamin, of Moadiah, Piltai;

18

of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;

Plain English

Of Bilgah, Shammua. Of Shemaiah, Jehonathan.

King James Version, 1611

Of Bilgah, Shammua; of Shemaiah, Jehonathan;

19

of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi;

Plain English

And of Joiarib, Mattenai. Of Jedaiah, Uzzi.

King James Version, 1611

And of Joiarib, Mattenai; of Jedaiah, Uzzi;

20

of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;

Plain English

Of Sallai, Kallai. Of Amok, Eber.

King James Version, 1611

Of Sallai, Kallai; of Amok, Eber;

21

of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel.

Plain English

Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah. Of Jedaiah, Nethanel.

King James Version, 1611

Of Hilkiah, Hashabiah; of Jedaiah, Nethaneel.

22

In the days of Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan and Jaddua, the Levites were recorded as heads of families, and so were the priests, down to the reign of Darius the Persian.

Plain English

The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada and Johanan and Jaddua were written down as heads of the fathers. And the priests too, to the rule of Darius the Persian.

King James Version, 1611

The Levites in the days of Eliashib, Joiada, and Johanan, and Jaddua, were recorded chief of the fathers: also the priests, to the reign of Darius the Persian.

23

The sons of Levi, the heads of families, were written in the book of the chronicles down to the days of Johanan son of Eliashib.

Plain English

The sons of Levi, the heads of the fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles, right to the days of Johanan son of Eliashib.

King James Version, 1611

The sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles, even until the days of Johanan the son of Eliashib.

24

And the chiefs of the Levites were Hashabiah, Sherebiah and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, with their brothers standing opposite them, to praise and give thanks, section answering section, as David the man of God had commanded.

Plain English

And the heads of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah and Joshua son of Kadmiel, with their brothers opposite them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the order of David the man of God, watch opposite watch.

King James Version, 1611

And the chief of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brethren over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, ward over against ward.

25

Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub were gatekeepers, keeping watch at the thresholds of the gates.

Plain English

Mattaniah and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub were gatekeepers, keeping the watch at the storerooms of the gates.

King James Version, 1611

Mattaniah, and Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, Akkub, were porters keeping the ward at the thresholds of the gates.

26

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

Plain English

These were in the days of Joiakim son of Joshua son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.

King James Version, 1611

These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest, the scribe.

The dedication of the wall

And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from wherever they lived, to bring them to Jerusalem to keep the dedication with gladness — with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and harps and lyres. And the sons of the singers gathered from the plain country around Jerusalem and from the villages of Netophathi, and from the house of Gilgal and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth. Because the singers had built themselves villages around Jerusalem. And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people and the gates and the wall. Then I brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall, and appointed two great choirs to give thanks. One went to the right along the top of the wall toward the Dung Gate, and behind them went Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah, and Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam, Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah and Jeremiah, and some of the priests' sons with trumpets: Zechariah son of Jonathan, son of Shemaiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Michaiah, son of Zaccur, son of Asaph, and his brothers Shemaiah, Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, Judah and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. And Ezra the scribe led them. And at the Fountain Gate they went straight up the steps of the City of David, by the ascent to the wall, above the house of David, as far as the Water Gate on the east. And the other choir of those giving thanks went the opposite way, and I followed them with half the people along the wall, above the Tower of the Ovens as far as the Broad Wall, and above the Gate of Ephraim, the Old Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananeel and the Tower of Meah, as far as the Sheep Gate. And they stopped at the Prison Gate. So the two choirs of those giving thanks took their places in the house of God, and I did too, with half the officials with me, and the priests Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah, with trumpets, and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam and Ezer. And the singers sang out, with Jezrahiah as their leader. And that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced, because God had made them rejoice with great joy. The women and the children rejoiced too, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard a long way off. And at that time men were appointed over the storerooms for the treasures, the offerings, the firstfruits and the tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the towns the portions required by the law for the priests and the Levites. Because Judah was glad of the priests and the Levites who were serving. And both the singers and the gatekeepers kept the charge of their God and the charge of the purification, as David and his son Solomon had commanded. Because long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there were leaders of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. And in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, all Israel gave the daily portions for the singers and the gatekeepers. And they set apart what belonged to the Levites, and the Levites set apart what belonged to the sons of Aaron.

And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they looked for the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to keep the dedication with gladness — both with thanksgiving and with singing, with cymbals, harps and with lyres. And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round Jerusalem and from the villages of Netophathi, and from the house of Gilgal and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth. Because the singers had built themselves villages round Jerusalem. And the priests and the Levites made themselves clean, and made the people clean, and the gates and the wall. Then I brought up the leaders of Judah on the wall and set up two great companies that gave thanks. One went to the right hand on the wall towards the Dung Gate. And after them went Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah, and Azariah, Ezra and Meshullam, Judah and Benjamin and Shemaiah and Jeremiah, and some of the sons of the priests with trumpets — Zechariah son of Jonathan son of Shemaiah son of Mattaniah son of Micaiah son of Zakkur son of Asaph. And his brothers, Shemaiah and Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. And Ezra the scribe was in front of them. And at the Fountain Gate, which was opposite them, they went up by the stairs of the City of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, right to the Water Gate eastward. And the other company that gave thanks went opposite them, and I after them, and half the people on the wall, from beyond the Tower of the Ovens right to the Broad Wall, and from above the Gate of Ephraim and above the old gate and above the Fish Gate, and the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, right to the Sheep Gate. And they stood still in the Gate of the Guard. So both companies that gave thanks stood in the house of God, and I, and half the rulers with me. And the priests — Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah, with trumpets — and Maaseiah and Shemaiah and Eleazar and Uzzi and Jehohanan and Malkijah and Elam and Ezer. And the singers sang out loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. They offered great sacrifices that day too and celebrated, because God had made them celebrate with great joy. The wives and the children were glad too. So the joy of Jerusalem was heard a long way off. And at that time some were set over the rooms for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits and for the tenths, to gather into them out of the fields of the towns the portions of the teaching for the priests and Levites. Because Judah celebrated over the priests and the Levites who served. And both the singers and the gatekeepers kept the charge of their God and the charge of the cleansing, according to the order of David and of Solomon his son. Because in the days of David and Asaph in the old days there were heads of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah gave the portions of the singers and the gatekeepers, every day its portion. And they set apart holy things for the Levites, and the Levites set them apart for the sons of Aaron.

And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps. And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi; Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem. And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall. Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate: And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah, And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam, Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah, And certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph: And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them. And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward. And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall; And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate. So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me: And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets; And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer. Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited. And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son. For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God. And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.

27

And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from wherever they lived, to bring them to Jerusalem to keep the dedication with gladness — with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and harps and lyres.

Plain English

And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they looked for the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to keep the dedication with gladness — both with thanksgiving and with singing, with cymbals, harps and with lyres.

King James Version, 1611

And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.

28

And the sons of the singers gathered from the plain country around Jerusalem and from the villages of Netophathi,

Plain English

And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round Jerusalem and from the villages of Netophathi,

King James Version, 1611

And the sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain country round about Jerusalem, and from the villages of Netophathi;

29

and from the house of Gilgal and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth. Because the singers had built themselves villages around Jerusalem.

Plain English

and from the house of Gilgal and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth. Because the singers had built themselves villages round Jerusalem.

King James Version, 1611

Also from the house of Gilgal, and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth: for the singers had builded them villages round about Jerusalem.

30

And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people and the gates and the wall.

Plain English

And the priests and the Levites made themselves clean, and made the people clean, and the gates and the wall.

King James Version, 1611

And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

31

Then I brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall, and appointed two great choirs to give thanks. One went to the right along the top of the wall toward the Dung Gate,

Plain English

Then I brought up the leaders of Judah on the wall and set up two great companies that gave thanks. One went to the right hand on the wall towards the Dung Gate.

King James Version, 1611

Then I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks, whereof one went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate:

32

and behind them went Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah,

Plain English

And after them went Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah,

King James Version, 1611

And after them went Hoshaiah, and half of the princes of Judah,

33

and Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam,

Plain English

and Azariah, Ezra and Meshullam,

King James Version, 1611

And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam,

34

Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah and Jeremiah,

Plain English

Judah and Benjamin and Shemaiah and Jeremiah,

King James Version, 1611

Judah, and Benjamin, and Shemaiah, and Jeremiah,

35

and some of the priests' sons with trumpets: Zechariah son of Jonathan, son of Shemaiah, son of Mattaniah, son of Michaiah, son of Zaccur, son of Asaph,

Plain English

and some of the sons of the priests with trumpets — Zechariah son of Jonathan son of Shemaiah son of Mattaniah son of Micaiah son of Zakkur son of Asaph.

King James Version, 1611

And certain of the priests’ sons with trumpets; namely, Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Michaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph:

36

and his brothers Shemaiah, Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, Judah and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. And Ezra the scribe led them.

Plain English

And his brothers, Shemaiah and Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God. And Ezra the scribe was in front of them.

King James Version, 1611

And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.

37

And at the Fountain Gate they went straight up the steps of the City of David, by the ascent to the wall, above the house of David, as far as the Water Gate on the east.

Plain English

And at the Fountain Gate, which was opposite them, they went up by the stairs of the City of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, right to the Water Gate eastward.

King James Version, 1611

And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward.

38

And the other choir of those giving thanks went the opposite way, and I followed them with half the people along the wall, above the Tower of the Ovens as far as the Broad Wall,

Plain English

And the other company that gave thanks went opposite them, and I after them, and half the people on the wall, from beyond the Tower of the Ovens right to the Broad Wall,

King James Version, 1611

And the other company of them that gave thanks went over against them, and I after them, and the half of the people upon the wall, from beyond the tower of the furnaces even unto the broad wall;

39

and above the Gate of Ephraim, the Old Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananeel and the Tower of Meah, as far as the Sheep Gate. And they stopped at the Prison Gate.

Plain English

and from above the Gate of Ephraim and above the old gate and above the Fish Gate, and the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred, right to the Sheep Gate. And they stood still in the Gate of the Guard.

King James Version, 1611

And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.

40

So the two choirs of those giving thanks took their places in the house of God, and I did too, with half the officials with me,

Plain English

So both companies that gave thanks stood in the house of God, and I, and half the rulers with me.

King James Version, 1611

So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me:

41

and the priests Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah, with trumpets,

Plain English

And the priests — Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah and Hananiah, with trumpets —

King James Version, 1611

And the priests; Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Michaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;

42

and Maaseiah, Shemaiah, Eleazar, Uzzi, Jehohanan, Malchijah, Elam and Ezer. And the singers sang out, with Jezrahiah as their leader.

Plain English

and Maaseiah and Shemaiah and Eleazar and Uzzi and Jehohanan and Malkijah and Elam and Ezer. And the singers sang out loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer.

King James Version, 1611

And Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer.

43

And that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced, because God had made them rejoice with great joy. The women and the children rejoiced too, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard a long way off.

Plain English

They offered great sacrifices that day too and celebrated, because God had made them celebrate with great joy. The wives and the children were glad too. So the joy of Jerusalem was heard a long way off.

King James Version, 1611

Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.

44

And at that time men were appointed over the storerooms for the treasures, the offerings, the firstfruits and the tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the towns the portions required by the law for the priests and the Levites. Because Judah was glad of the priests and the Levites who were serving.

Plain English

And at that time some were set over the rooms for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits and for the tenths, to gather into them out of the fields of the towns the portions of the teaching for the priests and Levites. Because Judah celebrated over the priests and the Levites who served.

King James Version, 1611

And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.

45

And both the singers and the gatekeepers kept the charge of their God and the charge of the purification, as David and his son Solomon had commanded.

Plain English

And both the singers and the gatekeepers kept the charge of their God and the charge of the cleansing, according to the order of David and of Solomon his son.

King James Version, 1611

And both the singers and the porters kept the ward of their God, and the ward of the purification, according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son.

46

Because long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there were leaders of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.

Plain English

Because in the days of David and Asaph in the old days there were heads of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.

King James Version, 1611

For in the days of David and Asaph of old there were chief of the singers, and songs of praise and thanksgiving unto God.

47

And in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, all Israel gave the daily portions for the singers and the gatekeepers. And they set apart what belonged to the Levites, and the Levites set apart what belonged to the sons of Aaron.

Plain English

And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel and in the days of Nehemiah gave the portions of the singers and the gatekeepers, every day its portion. And they set apart holy things for the Levites, and the Levites set them apart for the sons of Aaron.

King James Version, 1611

And all Israel in the days of Zerubbabel, and in the days of Nehemiah, gave the portions of the singers and the porters, every day his portion: and they sanctified holy things unto the Levites; and the Levites sanctified them unto the children of Aaron.