Bible in a Year.

On day 275, Nehemiah confronts conspiracies and strengthens his leadership with faith and prudence. Esther 3:13 highlights the threat against the people of Israel and the importance of divine intervention. Proverbs 21:1-4 guides us on God's sovereignty, justice, and righteous conduct, reminding us to act with integrity even in the face of challenges.

Chapter 6

1. And it came to pass, when Sanaballat, and Tobias, and Gossem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left in it, (though at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates,)

2. Sanaballat and Gossem Rent to me, saying: Come, and let us make a league together in the villages, in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.

3. And I sent messengers to them, saying: I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down, lest it be neglected whilst I come, and go down to you.

4. And they sent to me according to this word, four times: and I answered them after the same manner.

5. And Sanaballat sent his servant to me the fifth time according to the former word, and he had a letter in his hand written in this manner:

6. It is reported amongst the Gentiles, and Gossem hath said it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel, and therefore thou buildest the wall, and hast a mind to set thyself king over them : for which end

7. Thou hast also set up prophets, to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying: There is a king in Judea. The king will hear of these things: therefore come now, that we may take counsel together.

8. And I sent to them, saying: There is no such thing done as thou sayest: but thou feignest these things out of thy own heart.

9. For all these men thought to frighten us, thinking that our hands would cease from the work, and that we would leave off. Wherefore I strengthened my hands the more:

10. And I went into the house of Samaia the son of Delaia, the son of Metabeel privately. And he said: Let us consult together in the house of God in the midst of the temple: and let us shut the doors of the temple, for they will come to kill thee, and in the night they will come to slay thee.

11. And I said: Should such a man as I Bee? and who is there that being as I am, would go into the temple, to save his life? I will not go in.

12. And I understood that God had not sent him, but that he had spoken to me as if he had been prophesying, and Tobias, and Sanaballat had hired him.

13. For he had taken money, that I being afraid should do this thing, and sin, and they might have some evil to upbraid me withal.

14. Remember me, O Lord, for Tobias and Sanaballat, according to their works of this kind: and Noadias the prophet, and the rest of the prophets that would have put me in fear.

15. But the wall was finished the five and twentieth day of the month of Elul, in two and fifty days.

16. And it came to pass when all our enemies heard of it, that all nations which were round about us, were afraid, and were cast down within themselves, for they perceived that this work was the work of God.

17. Moreover in those days many letters were sent by the principal men of the Jews to Tobias, and from Tobias there came letters to them.

18. For there were many in Judea sworn to him, because he was the son in law of Sechenias the son of Area, and Johanan his son had taken to wife the daughter of Mosollam the son of Barachias.

19. And they praised him also before me, and they related my words to him: And Tobias sent letters to put me in fear.

Chapter 7

1. Now after the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and numbered the porters and singing men, and Levites:

2. I commanded Hanani my brother, and Hananias ruler of the house of Jerusalem, (for he seemed as a sincere man, and one that feared God above the rest,)

3. And I said to them: Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened till the sun be hot. And while they were yet standing by, the gates were shut, and barred: and I set watchmen of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one by their courses, and every mall over against his house.

4. And the city was very wide and great, and the people few in the midst thereof, and the houses were not built.

5. But God had put in my heart, and I assembled the princes and magistrates, and common people, to number them: and I found a book of the number of them who came up at first, and therein it was found written:

6. These are the children of the province, who came up from the captivity of them that had been carried away, whom Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon had carried away, and who returned into Judea, every one into his own city.

7. Who came with Zorobabel, Josue, Nehemias, Azarias, Raamias, Nahamani, Mardochai, Belsam, Mespharath, Begoia, Nahum, Baana. The number of the men of the people of Israel:

8. The children of Pharos, two thousand one hundred seventy-two.

9. The children of Sephatia, three hundred seventy-two.

10. The children of Area, six hundred fifty-two.

11. The children of Phahath Moab of the children of Josue and Joab, two thousand eight hundred eighteen.

12. The children of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.

13. The children of Zethua, eight hundred forty-five.

14. The children of Zachai, seven hundred sixty.

15. The children of Bannui, six hundred forty-eight.

16. The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty-eight.

17. The children of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty-two.

18. The children of Adonicam, six hundred sixty-seven.

19. The children of Beguai, two thousand sixty-seven.

20. The children of Adin, six hundred fifty-five.

21. The children of Ater, children of Hezechias, ninety-eight.

22. The children of Hasem, three hundred twenty-eight.

23. The children of Besai, three hundred twenty-four.

24. The children of Hareph, a hundred and twelve.

25. The children of Gabaon, ninety-five.

26. The children of Bethlehem, and Netupha, a hundred eighty-eight.

27. The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty-eight.

28. The men of Bethazmoth, forty-two.

29. The men of Cariathiarim, Cephira, end Beroth, seven hundred forty-three.

30. The men of Rama and Geba, six hundred twenty-one.

31. The men of Machmas, a hundred twenty-two.

32. The men of Bethel and Hai, a hundred twenty-three.

33. The men of the other Nebo, fifty-two.

34. The men of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.

35. The children of Harem, three hundred and twenty.

36. The children of Jericho, three hundred forty-Ave.

37. The children of Led, of Hadid and One, seven hundred twenty-one.

38. The children of Senaa, three thousand nine hundred thirty.

39. The priests: the children of Idaia in the house of Josue, nine hundred and seventy-three.

40. The children of Emmer, one thousand fifty-two.

41. 41The children of Phashur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven.

42. The children of Arem, one thousand and seventeen. The Levites:

43. The children of Josue and Cedmihel, the sons

44. Of Oduia, seventy-four. The singing men:

45. The children of Asaph, a hundred forty-eight.

46. The porters: the children of Sellum, the children of Ater, the children of Telmon, the children of Accub, the children of Hatita, the children of Sobai: a hundred thirty-eight.

47. The Nathinites: the children of Soha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tebbaoth,

48. The children of Ceros, the children of Siaa, the children of Phadon, the children of Lebana, the children of Hagaba, the children of Selmai,

49. The children of Hanan, the children of Geddel, the children of Gaher,

50. The children of Raaia, the children of Rasin, the children of Necoda,

51. The children of Gezem, the children of Asa, the children of Phasea,

52. The children of Besai, the children of Munim, the children of Nephussim,

53. The children of Bacbuc, the children of Hacupha, the children of Harhur,

54. The children of Besloth, the children of Mahida, the children of Harsa,

55. The children of Bercos, the children of Sisara, the children of Thema,

56. The children of Nasia, the children of Hatipha,

57. The children of the servants of Solomon, the children of Sothai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Pharida,

58. The children of Jahala, the children of Darcon, the children of Jeddel,

59. The children of Saphatia, the children of Hatil, the children of Phochereth, who was born of Sabaim, the son of Amon.

60. All the Nathinites, and the children of the servants of Solomon, three hundred ninety-two.

61. And these are they that came up from Telmela, Thelharsa, Cherub, Addon, and Emmer: and could not shew the house of their fathers, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel.

62. The children of Dalaia, the children of Tobia, the children of Necoda, six hundred forty-two.

63. And of the priests, the children of Habia, the children of Accos, the children of Berzellai, who took a wife of the daughters of Berzellai the Galaadite, and he was called by their name.

64. These sought their writing in the re- cord, and found it not: and they were cast out of the priesthood.

65. And Athersatha said to them, that they should not eat of the holies of holies, until there stood up a priest learned and skilful.

66. All the multitude as it were one man, forty-two thousand three hundred sixty,

67. Beside their menservants and womenservants, who were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven: and among them singing men, and singing women, two hundred forty-five.

68. Their horses, seven hundred thirty- six: their mules two hundred forty-five:

69. Their camels, four hundred thirty- five, their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

70. And some of the heads of the families gave unto the work. Athersatha gave into the treasure a thousand drama of gold, fifty bowls, and five hundred and thirty garments for priests.

71. And some of the heads of families gave to the treasure of the work, twenty thousand drama of gold, and two thousand two hundred pounds of silver.

72. And that which the rest of the people gave, was twenty thousand drama of gold, and two thousand pounds of silver, and sixty-seven garments for priests.

73. And the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singing men, and the rest of the common people, and the Nathinites, and all Israel dwelt in their cities.

Chapter 3

1. After these things, king Assuerus advanced Aman, the son of Amadathi, who was of the race of Agag: and he set his throne above all the princes that were with him.

2. And all the king's servants, that were at the doors of the palace, bent their knees, and worshipped Aman: for so the emperor had commanded them, only Mardochai did not bend his knee, nor worship him.

3. And the king's servants that were chief at the doors of the palace, said to him: Why dost thou alone not observe the king's commandment?

4. And when they were saying this often, and he would not hearken to them; they told Aman, desirous to know whether he would continue in his resolution: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

5. Now when Aman had heard this, and had proved by experience that Mardochai did not bend his knee to him, nor worship him, he was exceeding angry.

6. And he counted it nothing to lay his hands upon Mardochai alone: for he had heard that he was of the nation of the Jews, and he chose rather to destroy all the nation of the Jews that were in the kingdom of Assuerus.

7. In the first month (which is called Nisan) in the twelfth year a of the reign of Assuerus, the lot was cast into an urn, which in Hebrew is called Phur, before Aman, on what day and what month the nation of the Jews should be destroyed: and there came out the twelfth month, which is called Adar.

8. And Aman said to king Assuerus: There is a people scattered through all the provinces of thy kingdom, and separated one from another, that use new laws and ceremonies, and moreover despise the king's ordinances: and thou knowest very well that it is not expedient for thy kingdom that they should grow insolent by impunity.

9. If it please thee, decree that they may he destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents to thy treasurers.

10. And the king took the ring that he used, from his own hand, and gave it to Aman, the son of Amadathi of the race of Agag, the enemy of the Jews,

11. And he said to him: As to the money which thou promisest, keep it for thyself: and as to the people, do with them as seemeth good to thee.

12. And the king's scribes were called in the first month Nisan, on the thirteenth day of the same month: and they wrote, as Aman had commanded, to all the king's lieutenants, and to the judges of the provinces, and of divers nations, as every nation could read, and hear according to their different languages, in the name of king Assuerus: and the letters, sealed with his ring,

13. Were sent by the king's messengers to all provinces, to kill and destroy all the Jews, both young and old, little children, and women, in one day, that is, on the thirteenth of the twelfth month, which is called Adar, and to make a spoil of their goods.

14. And the contents of the letters were to this effect, that all provinces might know and be ready against that day.

15. The couriers that were sent made haste to fulfil the king's commandment. And immediately the edict was hung up in Susan, the king and Aman feasting together, and all the Jews that were in the city weeping.

Chapter 13

1. And this was the copy of the letter: Artaxerxes the great king who reigneth from India to Ethiopia, to the princes and governors of the hundred and twenty-seven provinces, that are subject to his empire, greeting.

2. Whereas I reigned over many nations, and had brought all the world under my dominion, I was not willing to abuse the greatness of my power, but to govern my subjects with clemency and lenity, that they might live quietly without any terror. and might enjoy peace, which is desired by all men.

3. But when I asked my counsellors how this might be accomplished, one that excelled the rest in wisdom and fidelity, and was second after the king, Aman by name,

4. Told me that there was a people scattered through the whole world, which used new laws, and acted against the customs of all nations, despised the commandments of kings, and violated by their opposition the concord of all nations.

5. Wherefore having learned this, and seeing one nation in opposition to all mankind using perverse laws, and going against our commandments, and disturbing the peace and concord of the provinces subject to us,

6. We have commanded that all whom Aman shall mark out, who is chief over all the provinces, and second after the king, and whom we honour as a father, shall be utterly destroyed by their enemies, with their wives and children, and that none shall have pity on them. on the fourteenth day of the twelfth month Adar of this present year:

7. That these wicked men going down to hell in one day, may restore to our empire the peace which they had disturbed.

8. But Mardochai besought the Lord, remembering all his works,

9. And said: O Lord, Lord, almighty king, for all things are in thy power, and there is none that can resist thy will, if thou determine to save Israel.

10. Thou hast made heaven and earth, and all things that are under the cope of heaven.

11. Thou art Lord of all, and there is none that can resist thy majesty.

12. Thou knowest all things, and thou knowest that it was not out of pride and contempt, or any desire of glory, that I refused to worship the proud Aman,

13. (For I would willingly and readily for the salvation of Israel have kissed even the steps of his feet,)

14. But I feared lest I should transfer the honour of my God to a man, and lest I should adore any one except my God.

15. And now, O Lord, O king, O God of Abraham, have mercy on thy people, be- cause our enemies resolve to destroy us, and extinguish thy inheritance.

16. Despise not thy portion, which thou hast redeemed for thyself out of Egypt.

17. Hear my supplication, and be merciful to thy lot and inheritance, and turn our mourning into joy, that we may live and praise thy name, 0 Lord, and shut not the mouths of them that sing to thee.

18. And all Israel with like mind and supplication cried to the Lord, because they saw certain death hanging over their heads.

1. As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will he shall turn it.

2. Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.

3. To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.

4. Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is sin.