Nehemiah 13:19-21

New International Reader's Version

¹⁹ Evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath day started. So I ordered the gates to be shut. They had to remain closed until the Sabbath day was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates. I told them not to let anything be brought in on the Sabbath day. ²⁰ Once or twice some traders and sellers spent the night outside Jerusalem. They were hoping to sell all kinds of goods. ²¹ But I gave them a warning. I said, “Why are you spending the night by the wall? If you do this again, I’ll arrest you.” So from that time on they didn’t come on the Sabbath day anymore.