Now on the sealeddocument [were the names of]: Nehemiahthe governor,the sonof Hacaliah,and Zedekiah,
The kingstoodby the pillarand madea covenantbeforethe LORD,to walkafterthe LORD,and to keepHis commandmentsand His testimoniesand His statuteswith all[his] heartand all[his] soul,to carryout the wordsof thiscovenantthat were writtenin thisbook.And allthe peopleenteredinto the covenant.
"So nowlet us makea covenantwith our Godto putawayallthe wivesand their children,according to the counselof my lordand of those who trembleat the commandmentof our God;and let it be doneaccording to the law.
The governorsaidto them that they should not eatfrom the mostholythingsuntila prieststoodup with Urimand Thummim.
The wordsof Nehemiahthe sonof Hacaliah.Now it happenedin the monthChislev,[in] the twentiethyear,while I was in Susathe capitol,
Seraiah,Azariah,Jeremiah,
and that we will not giveour daughtersto the peoplesof the landor taketheir daughtersfor our sons.
The governorsaidto them that they should not eatfrom the mostholythingsuntila priestarosewith Urimand Thummim.
Somefrom among the headsof fathers'[households] gaveto the work.The governorgaveto the treasury1000golddrachmas,50basins,530priests'garments.
Then Nehemiah,whowas the governor,and Ezrathe priest[and] scribe,and the Leviteswho taughtthe peoplesaidto allthe people,"Thisdayis holyto the LORDyour God;do not mournor weep."For allthe peoplewere weepingwhen they heardthe wordsof the law.
"Now because of allthisWe are makingan agreementin writing;And on the sealeddocument [are the names of] our leaders,our Levites[and] our priests."
Moseswrotedownallthe wordsof the LORD.Then he aroseearlyin the morning,and builtan altarat the footof the mountainwith twelvepillarsfor the twelvetribesof Israel.
