15
In those days I saw in Judah
some treading wine presses on the sabbath and bringing in sheaves and lading asses with wine, grapes, figs, and all
manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day; and I protested
unto them the day in which they sold the food.
16
There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, who brought fish and all manner of merchandise, and sold on the sabbath to the sons of Judah in Jerusalem.
17
Then I contended with the nobles of Judah and said unto them, What evil thing
is this that ye do and profane thus the sabbath day?
18
Did not your fathers do this, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us and upon this city? Yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.
19
And it came to pass, that when shadow came to the gates of Jerusalem before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut and charged that they should not be opened until after the sabbath; and I set
some of my servants at the gates,
that no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.
20
So the merchants and sellers of all kinds of merchandise lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice.
21
Then I testified and protested against them and said unto them, Why do ye lodge about the wall? If ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth they came no
more on the sabbath.
22
And I told the Levites that they should cleanse themselves and
that they should come
and guard 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.
23
In those days I also saw Jews
that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon,
and of Moab;
24
and their sons spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and according to the language of each people; for they could not speak in the Jews’ language.
25
And 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.