20. And they lodge--the merchants and sellers of all ware--at the outside of Jerusalem, once or twice,
21. and I testify against them, and say unto them, `Wherefore are ye lodging overagainst the wall? if ye repeat [it], a hand I put forth upon you;' from that time they have not come in on the sabbath.
22. And I say to the Levites, that they be cleansed, and, coming in, keeping the gates, to sanctify the sabbath-day. Also, this, remember for me, O my God, and have pity on me, according to the abundance of Thy kindness.
23. Also, in those days, I have seen the Jews [who] have settled women of Ashdod, of Ammon, of Moab.
24. And of their sons, half are speaking Ashdoditish--and are not knowing to speak Jewish--and according to the language of people and people.
25. And I strive with them, and declare them vile, and smite certain of them, and pluck off their hair, and cause them to swear by God, `Ye do not give your daughters to their sons, nor do ye take of their daughters to your sons, and to yourselves.
26. `By these did not Solomon king of Israel sin? and among the many nations there was no king like him, and beloved by his God he was, and God maketh him king over all Israel-- even him did the strange women cause to sin.
27. And to you do we hearken to do all this great evil, to trespass against our God, to settle strange women?'
28. And [one] of the sons of Joiada son of Eliashib the high priest, [is] son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite, and I cause him to flee from off me.
29. Be mindful of them, O my God, for the redeemed of the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
30. And I have cleansed them from every stranger, and appoint charges to priests and to Levites, each in his work,
31. and for the wood-offering at appointed times, and for first-fruits. Be mindful of me, O my God, for good.