e to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem were at
rest on the sabbath day, I spoke: and they shut the gates, and I
commanded that they should not open them till after the sabbath: and I
set some of my servants at the gates, that none should bring in burthens
on the sabbath day.

13:20. So the merchants, and they that sold all kinds of wares, stayed
without Jerusalem, once or twice.

13:21. And I charged them, and I said to them: Why stay you before the
wall? if you do so another time, I will lay hands on you. And from that
time they came no more on the sabbath.

13:22. I spoke also to the Levites that they should be purified, and
should come to keep the gates, and to sanctify the sabbath day: for this
also remember me, O my God, and spare me according to the multitude of
thy tender mercies.

13:23. In those days also I saw Jews that married wives, women of
Azotus, and of Ammon, and of Moab.

13:24. And their children spoke half in the speech of Azotus, and could
not speak the Jews' language, but they spoke according to the language
of this and that people.

13:25. And I chid them, and laid my curse upon them. And I beat some of
them, and shaved off their hair, and made them swear by God that they
would not give their daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters
for their sons, nor for themselves, saying:

13:26. Did not Solomon king of Israel sin in this kind of thing: and
surely among many nations, there was not a king like him, and he was
beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: and yet women
of other countries brought even him to sin.

13:27. And shall we also be disobedient and do all this great evil to
transgress against our God, and marry strange women:

13:28. And one of the sons of Joiada the son of Eliasib the high priest,
was son in law to Sanaballat the Horonite, and I drove him from me.

13:29. Remember them, O Lord my God, that defile the priesthood, and the
law of priests and Levites.

13:30. So I separated from them all strangers, and I appointed the
courses of the priests and the Levites, every man in his ministry:

13:31. And for the offering of wood at times appointed, and for the
firstfruits: remember me, O my God, unto good. Amen.

THE BOOK OF TOBIAS

This Book takes its name from the holy man Tobias, whose wonderful
virtues are herein recorded. It contains most excellent documents of
great piety, extraordinary patience, and of a perfect resignation