10
I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them; so that the Levites and the singers, who did the work, were fled everyone to his field.
11
Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? I gathered them together, and set them in their place.
12
Then brought all Yehudah the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the treasuries.
13
I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemyahu the Kohen, and Tzadok the Sofer, and of the Levites, Pedayahu: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zakkur, the son of Mattanyah; for they were counted faithful, and their business was to distribute to their brothers.
14
Remember me, my God, concerning this, and don't wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the observances of it.
15
In those days saw I in Yehudah some men treading wine-presses on the Shabbat, and bringing in sheaves, and lading donkeys [therewith]; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Yerushalayim on the day of Shabbat: and I testified [against them] in the day in which they sold victuals.
16
There lived men of Tzor also therein, who brought in fish, and all manner of wares, and sold on the Shabbat to the children of Yehudah, and in Yerushalayim.
17
Then I contended with the nobles of Yehudah, and said to them, What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the day of Shabbat?
18
Didn't your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this evil on us, and on this city? yet you bring more wrath on Yisra'el by profaning the Shabbat.
19
It came to pass that, when the gates of Yerushalayim began to be dark before the Shabbat, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened until after the Shabbat: and some of my servants set I over the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the day of Shabbat.
20
So the merchants and sellers of all kind of wares lodged outside of Yerushalayim once or twice.