Nehemiah 13:20-25
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 13
20Once or twice the traders and merchants of every kind of merchandise spent the night outside Jerusalem. 21Then I warned them and said to them, 'Why do you spend the night in front of the wall? If you do so again, I will use force against you.' From that time on they did not come on the Sabbath. 22And I ordered the Levites that they were to purify themselves and come as gatekeepers to sanctify the Sabbath day. For this also remember me, my God, and have compassion on me according to the greatness of Your mercy.
23In those days I also saw that the Jews had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.
24As for their children, half spoke in the language of Ashdod, and none of them knew how to speak the language of Judah, but only the language of his own people.
25So I quarreled with them and cursed them, and struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them swear by God, 'You shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor take any of their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.
King James Version
Chapter 13
20So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. 21Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath. 22And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
23In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:
24And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews' language, but according to the language of each people.
25And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 13
20Once or twice the merchants and those who sell all kinds of goods camped outside Jerusalem, 21but I warned them, "Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I'll use force against you." After that they did not come again on the Sabbath.
23In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.
24Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples but could not speak Hebrew.
25I rebuked them, cursed them, beat some of their men, and pulled out their hair. I forced them to take an oath before God and said, "You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or yourselves!
New Living Translation
Chapter 13
20The merchants and tradesmen with a variety of wares camped outside Jerusalem once or twice. 21But I spoke sharply to them and said, 'What are you doing out here, camping around the wall? If you do this again, I will arrest you!' And that was the last time they came on the Sabbath.
23About the same time I realized that some of the men of Judah had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.
24Furthermore, half their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of some other people and could not speak the language of Judah at all.
25So I confronted them and called down curses on them. I beat some of them and pulled out their hair. I made them swear in the name of God that they would not let their children intermarry with the pagan people of the land.
English Standard Version
Chapter 13
20Then the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice. 21But I warned them and said to them, “Why do you lodge outside the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on they did not come on the Sabbath. 22Then I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come and guard the gates, to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love.
23In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.
24And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people.
25And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take an oath in the name of God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.
New International Version
Chapter 13
20Once or twice the merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside Jerusalem. 21But I warned them and said, 'Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will arrest you.' From that time on they no longer came on the Sabbath.
23Moreover, in those days I saw men of Judah who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon and Moab.
24Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of one of the other peoples, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah.
25I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God's name and said: 'You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.
New King James Version