Nehemiah 13:18-20

New International Reader's Version

¹⁸ Your people of long ago did the very same things. That’s why our God has brought all this trouble on us. That’s why he’s making this city suffer so much. Now you are making him even angrier against Israel. You are misusing the Sabbath day.”

¹⁹ Evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath day started. So I ordered the gates to be shut. They had to remain closed until the Sabbath day was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates. I told them not to let anything be brought in on the Sabbath day. ²⁰ Once or twice some traders and sellers spent the night outside Jerusalem. They were hoping to sell all kinds of goods.