1
On that day they read in the book of Moshe in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that an `Ammonite and a Mo'avite should not enter into the assembly of God forever,
2
because they didn't meet the children of Yisra'el with bread and with water, but hired Bil`am against them, to curse them: however our God turned the curse into a blessing.
3
It came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Yisra'el all the mixed multitude.
4
Now before this, Elyashiv the Kohen, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, being allied to Toviyah,
5
had prepared for him a great chamber, where before they laid the meal-offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, which were given by mitzvah to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the heave-offerings for the Kohanim.
6
But in all this [time] I was not at Yerushalayim; for in the two and thirtieth year of Artachshasta king of Bavel I went to the king: and after certain days asked I leave of the king,
7
and I came to Yerushalayim, and understood the evil that Elyashiv had done for Toviyah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.
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It grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Toviyah out of the chamber.
9
Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and there brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meal-offerings and the frankincense.