²⁰ Once or twice merchants and those who sell all kinds of goods spent the night outside Jerusalem. ²¹ I warned them. “Why are you spending the night in front of the wall?” I asked them. “If you do it again, I’ll arrest you.” After that, they no longer came on the day of rest—a holy day. ²² Then I told the Levites to cleanse themselves and guard the gates to keep the day of rest holy.

⌞Nehemiah prayed,⌟ “Remember me also for this, my God, and spare me, since you are very kind.”