Legacy Standard Bible

Nehemiah 7 - 8

Census of First Returned Exiles

7Now it happened when athe wall was rebuilt and I had made the doors to stand, and the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were appointed, 2that I commanded aHanani my brother and bHananiah the commander of cthe fortress, to be over Jerusalem, for he was da faithful man and feared God more than many. 3Then I said to them, “The gates of Jerusalem must not be opened until the sun is hot; and until they are there standing guard, they must shut and bolt the doors. Also have guards from the inhabitants of Jerusalem stand, each at his post, and each in front of his own house.” 4Now the city was large and spacious, but the people in it were few and the houses were not rebuilt.
5aThen my God put it into my heart, and I gathered the nobles, the officials, and the people to be recorded by genealogies. Then I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up first, and in it I found written:
6aThese are the 1people of the province who came up out of the captivity of the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had taken away into exile, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his city, 7who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, 1Azariah, 2Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, 3Mispereth, Bigvai, 4Nehum, Baanah. The number of men of the people of Israel:
8the sons of Parosh, 2,172; 9the sons of Shephatiah, 372; 10the sons of Arah, 652; 11the sons of Pahath-moab of the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818; 12the sons of Elam, 1,254; 13the sons of Zattu, 845; 14the sons of Zaccai, 760; 15the sons of 1Binnui, 648; 16the sons of Bebai, 628; 17the sons of Azgad, 2,322; 18the sons of Adonikam, 667; 19the sons of Bigvai, 2,067; 20the sons of Adin, 655; 21the sons of Ater, of Hezekiah, 98; 22the sons of Hashum, 328; 23the sons of Bezai, 324; 24the sons of 1Hariph, 112; 25the sons of 1Gibeon, 95; 26the men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188; 27the men of Anathoth, 128; 28the men of 1Beth-azmaveth, 42; 29the men of 1Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743; 30the men of Ramah and Geba, 621; 31the men of Michmas, 122; 32the men of Bethel and Ai, 123; 33the men of the other Nebo, 52; 34the sons of the other Elam, 1,254; 35the sons of Harim, 320; 36the 1men of Jericho, 345; 37the sons of Lod, Hadid and Ono, 721; 38the sons of Senaah, 3,930.
39The priests: the sons of Jedaiah of the house of Jeshua, 973;
40the sons of Immer, 1,052; 41the sons of Pashhur, 1,247; 42the sons of Harim, 1,017.
43The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, of Kadmiel, of the sons of 1Hodevah, 74.
44The singers: the sons of Asaph, 148.
45The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, 138.
46The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth,
47the sons of Keros, the sons of 1Sia, the sons of Padon, 48the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai, 49the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, 50the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, 51the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, 52the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of 1Nephushesim, 53the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, 54the sons of 1Bazlith, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, 55the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, 56the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha.
57The sons of Solomon’s servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of 1Sophereth, the sons of 2Perida,
58the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, 59the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of 1Amon.
60All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon’s servants were 392.
61Now these were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, 1Addon, and Immer; but they were not able to declare their fathers’ houses or their fathers’ seed, whether they were of Israel:
62the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, 642.
63Of the priests: the sons of 1Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai, the Gileadite, and he was called by their name.
64These searched in their genealogical records, but it could not be found; therefore they were considered unclean and excluded from the priesthood. 65aAnd the 1governor said to them that they should not eat from the most holy things until a priest stood with 2,bUrim and Thummim.

The Assembly and Their Gifts

66The whole assembly together was 42,360, 67besides their male and their female slaves, 1of whom there were 7,337; and they had 245 male and female singers. 681,aTheir horses were 736; their mules, 245; 69their camels, 435; their donkeys, 6,720.
70Some from among the heads of fathers’ households gave to the work. The 1,agovernor gave to the treasury 1,000 gold 2drachmas, 50 bowls, 530 priests’ tunics. 71Some of the heads of fathers’ households gave into the treasury of the work 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,200 silver 1minas. 72That which the rest of the people gave was 20,000 gold drachmas and 2,000 silver minas and 67 priests’ tunics.
73So athe priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel lived in their cities. bThen the seventh month came, and the sons of Israel were in their cities.

Ezra Reads the Book of the Law

8And all the people gathered as one man at the square which was in front of athe Water Gate, and they said to bEzra the scribe to bring cthe book of the law of Moses which Yahweh had commanded to Israel. 2Then aEzra the priest brought the law before the assembly of men, women, and all who could understand when listening, on bthe first day of the seventh month. 3And he read from it before the square which was in front of athe Water Gate from 1early morning until midday, in the presence of men and women, those who could understand; and all the ears of the people were attentive to the book of the law. 4Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden podium which they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand. 5And Ezra opened athe book in the sight of all the people for he was above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people bstood up. 6Then Ezra blessed Yahweh the great God. And all the people answered, “aAmen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands; then bthey bowed low and worshiped Yahweh with their 1faces to the ground. 7Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, were providing understanding of the law to the people while the people stood in their place. 8They read from the book, from the law of God, 1explaining and 2giving insight, and they provided understanding of the reading.

This Day Is Holy

9Then Nehemiah, who was the 1,agovernor, and Ezra bthe priest and scribe, and the Levites, who provided the people with understanding, said to all the people, “cThis day is holy to Yahweh your God; ddo not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law. 10Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and asend portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.” 11So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12Then all the people went away to eat, to drink, ato send portions, and to celebrate with great gladness, bbecause they understood the words which had been made known to them.

Feast of Booths Restored

13Then on the second day the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might gain insight into the words of the law. 14They found written in the law how Yahweh had commanded by the hand of Moses that the sons of Israel ashould live in booths during the feast of the seventh month, 15aand that they should make the report heard and make a proclamation of it pass throughout all their cities and bin Jerusalem, saying, “cGo out to the hills, and bring olive branches and 1wild olive branches, myrtle branches, palm branches, and branches of other leafy trees, to make booths, as it is written.” 16So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each aon his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at bthe Water Gate and in the square at cthe Gate of Ephraim. 17The entire assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths. The sons of Israel ahad indeed not done so from the days of Joshua the son of Nun to that day. And bthere was exceedingly great gladness. 18aAnd he read from the book of the law of God daily, from the first day to the last day. And they bcelebrated the feast seven days, and on cthe eighth day there was a solemn assembly according to the legal judgment.

Revelation 4 - 5

The Throne in Heaven

4After athese things I looked, and behold, ba door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, clike the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “dCome up here, and I will eshow you what must take place after these things.” 2Immediately I was 1,ain the Spirit, and behold, ba throne was standing in heaven, and cOne sitting on the throne. 3And He who was sitting was like a ajasper stone and a bsardius in appearance; and there was a 1,crainbow around the throne, like an demerald in appearance. 4aAround the throne were btwenty-four thrones, and upon those thrones I saw ctwenty-four elders dsitting, clothed in ewhite garments, and fgolden crowns on their heads. 5And out from the throne come aflashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder. And there were bseven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are cthe seven Spirits of God. 6And before the throne there was something like a asea of glass, like crystal. And in the 1center and baround the throne, cfour living creatures dfull of eyes in front and behind. 7aAnd the first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like that of a man, and the fourth creature was like a flying eagle. 8And the afour living creatures, each one of them having bsix wings, are cfull of eyes around and within, and dday and night 1they do not cease to say, “eHoly, holy, holy is the 2,fLord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who 3is to come.”
9And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who asits on the throne, to bHim who lives forever and ever, 10the atwenty-four elders will bfall down before Him who csits on the throne, and will worship dHim who lives forever and ever, and will cast their ecrowns before the throne, saying,
11“aWorthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You bcreated all things, and because of Your will they 1existed, and were created.”

The Scroll and the Lamb

5Then I saw 1in the right hand of Him who asits on the throne a bscroll written inside and on the back, csealed up with seven seals. 2Then I saw a astrong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?” 3And no one ain heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 4Then I was crying greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5And one of the elders *said to me, “Stop crying! Behold, the aLion that is bfrom the tribe of Judah, the cRoot of David, has overcome so as to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6Then I saw in the midst of the throne and the four living creatures and in the midst of athe elders a bLamb standing, as if cslain, having seven dhorns and eseven eyes, which are fthe seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7And He came and took athe scroll out of the right hand of Him who bsits on the throne. 8And when He had taken the scroll, the afour living creatures and the btwenty-four elders cfell down before the dLamb, each one having a eharp and fgolden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the 1saints. 9And they *sang a anew song, saying, “bWorthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were cslain and dpurchased for God with Your blood people from eevery tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10“And You made them to be a akingdom and bpriests to our God, and they will creign upon the earth.”

Angels Worship the Lamb

11Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels aaround the throne and the bliving creatures and the celders; and the number of them was dmyriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12saying with a loud voice, “aWorthy is the bLamb that was cslain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”
13And aevery created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, “To Him who bsits on the throne, and to the cLamb, dbe the blessing and the honor and the glory and the might forever and ever.”
14And the afour living creatures kept saying, “bAmen.” And the celders dfell down and worshiped.

Ecclesiastes 5

Fear God

51,aGuard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the bsacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. 21Do not be ahasty with your mouth or 2impulsive in your heart to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven but you are on the earth; therefore let your bwords be few. 3For the dream comes through abundant endeavor and the voice of a afool through abundant words.
4When you amake a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. bPay what you vow! 5It is abetter that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin, and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a amistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and wreak destruction on the work of your hands? 7For in many dreams and vanities are many words. Rather, 1,afear God.

The Vanity of Riches

8If you see aoppression of the poor and brobbery of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be castonished over the 1matter; for a lofty one keeps watch over another lofty one, and there are loftier ones over them. 9But the advantage of the land in everything is this—a king committed to a cultivated field.
10aHe who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its produce. This too is 1vanity. 11aWhen good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the success to their masters except to look on with their eyes? 12The sleep of the laboring man is asweet, whether he eats little or much; but the satisfaction of the rich man does not 1allow him to sleep.
13There is a sickening evil which I have seen under the sun: ariches being 1hoarded by their master to his own evil demise. 14And those riches were lost through a bad endeavor; and he became the father of a son, but there was nothing in his hand for him. 15aAs he had come naked from his mother’s womb, so will he return as he came. He will bcarry nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can bring in his hand. 16This also is a sickening evil—exactly as a man came, so will he go. So awhat is the advantage to him who blabors for the wind? 17Also, all his days ahe eats in darkness with bmuch vexation, and his sickness and anger.
18Here is what I have seen to be agood, which is 1beautiful: to eat, to drink, and to see good in all one’s labor in which he labors under the sun during the few days of his life which God has given him; for this is his bportion. 19Furthermore, as for every man to whom aGod has given riches and wealth, He has also bempowered him to eat from them and to take up his portion and be glad in his labor; this is the cgift of God. 20For he will not remember much the days of his life because aGod allows 1him to occupy himself with the gladness of his heart.