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Nehemiah 13:21

19 When the evening shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem, just before the Sabbath, I ordered that the gates be shut and not opened until after the Sabbath. I posted some of my servants at the gates so that no load could enter on the Sabbath day.

20 Once or twice, the merchants and those who sell all kinds of goods camped outside Jerusalem,

but I warned them, “Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on, they did not return on the Sabbath.

22 Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this as well, O my God, and show me mercy according to Your abundant loving devotion.

23 In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
but I warned them, “Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on, they did not return on the Sabbath.
KJV
Then 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.
WEB
Then I testified against them, and said to them, “Why do you stay around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on, they didn’t come on the Sabbath.
ASV
Then 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.
DARBY
And I testified against them, and said to them, Why do ye pass the night before the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth they came not on the sabbath.
BLB
And I testified against them and said to them, “Why [are] you⁺ lodging in front of the wall? If you⁺ do [this] again, a hand I will put forth on you⁺.” From that time they did not come on the Sabbath.
ÅB
Da advarte jeg dem og sa til dem: Hvorfor overnatter dere foran muren? Gjør dere det en gang til, så legger jeg hånd på dere. Fra den tid kom de ikke mere på sabbaten.
OTB
Men jeg advarte dem og sa: "Hvorfor overnatter dere ved muren? Hvis dere gjør dette igjen, vil jeg bruke makt mot dere." Fra den tiden kom de ikke lenger på sabbaten.
B1930
Da advarte jeg dem og sa til dem: Hvorfor overnatter I foran muren? Gjør I det en gang til, så legger jeg hånd på eder. Fra den tid kom de ikke mere på sabbaten.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Romans 13:3–4

    For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval.

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  • Ezra 7:26

    If anyone does not keep the law of your God and the law of the king, let a strict judgment be executed against him, whether death, banishment, confiscation of property, or imprisonment.

    Read in context

  • 1 Peter 2:14

    or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.

    Read in context

  • Nehemiah 13:15

    In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them against selling food on that day.

    Read in context