I said to myself, "I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me."But as I stood there in silence -- not even speaking of good things -- the turmoil within me grew worse.The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words:"LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.Remind me that my days on earth are numbered -- h...  Read More

LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?Who may live on your holy mountain?The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind...  Read More

At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought out to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.The musicians were also brought together from the region around Jerusalem . . .  I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall. I also assigned two large c...  Read More

In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.". . . We assume the responsibility for carrying out the commands to give a third of a shekel each year for the service of the house of our God . . . Moreover, we will bring to the storerooms of the house of our God, to the priests, the first of...  Read More

On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads. Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of t...  Read More

They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of th...  Read More