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  • Nehemiah 12:47View Full Chapter

    47 In the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah all Israel gave the daily portions for the singers and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the Aaronites.

  • Sirach 49:11View Full Chapter

    Zerubbabel, Joshua, and Nehemiah

    11 How should we praise Zerubbabel?
        He also was like a signet ring
        on the right hand,

  • Sirach 49:13View Full Chapter

    13 Nehemiah’s memory is lasting;
        he who raised our fallen walls,
        set up gates and bars,
        and rebuilt our buildings.

  • 2 Maccabees 1:18View Full Chapter

    18 Since we are about to celebrate the cleansing of the temple on the twenty-fifth of Kislev, we thought it right to notify you so that you yourselves might also celebrate the Festival of Booths and Fire, when Nehemiah offered sacrifices after he had built the temple and the altar.

  • 2 Maccabees 1:20View Full Chapter

    20 Many years later, when it seemed good to God, Nehemiah, who was commissioned by the king of Persia, sent the descendants of the priests who had hidden the fire to retrieve it. After they explained to us that they didn’t find the fire, but rather a thick liquid, he ordered them to bring the liquid.

  • 2 Maccabees 1:21View Full Chapter

    21 When they brought up the provisions for the sacrifice, Nehemiah commanded the priests to sprinkle the liquid on the wood and on the items lying there.

  • 2 Maccabees 1:23View Full Chapter

    23 While the sacrifices were burning, the priests prayed, the priests and all the people. Jonathan took the lead while the others, including Nehemiah, responded.

  • 2 Maccabees 1:31View Full Chapter

    31 When the elements of the sacrifice were consumed, Nehemiah commanded them to pour the remaining liquid on larger stones.

  • 2 Maccabees 1:33View Full Chapter

    33 When this situation became known, it was reported to the king of the Persians that in the place where the exiled priests hid the fire, a liquid appeared from which Nehemiah’s followers purified the elements of the sacrifice.

  • 2 Maccabees 1:36View Full Chapter

    36 Nehemiah’s circle called this liquid nephthar, which means “purification,” but most people call it nephthai.

  • Nehemiah 1View Full Chapter

    Loss of Jerusalem

    These are the words of Nehemiah, Hacaliah’s son.

    In the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the fortress city of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came with some other men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had escaped and survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem.

    They told me, “Those in the province who survived the captivity are in great trouble and shame! The wall around Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire!”

    Confession

    When I heard this news, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. I said:

    Lord God of heaven, great and awesome God, you are the one who keeps covenant and is truly faithful to those who love you and keep your commandments. Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant, which I now pray before you night and day for your servants, the people of Israel.

    “I confess the sins of the people of Israel, which we have committed against you. Both I and my family have sinned. We have wronged you greatly. We haven’t kept the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses.

    “Remember the word that you gave to your servant Moses when you said, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. But if you return to me and keep my commandments by really doing them, then, even though your outcasts live under distant skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place that I have chosen as a dwelling for my name.’ 10 They are your servants and your people. They are the ones whom you have redeemed by your great power and your strong hand.

    11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in honoring your name. Please give success to your servant today and grant him favor in the presence of this man!”

    Cupbearer’s plea

    At that time, I was a cupbearer to the king.

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