On that day a†they read in the book of Moses in the †audience of the people; and therein was found written, bthat the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; 2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but chired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: dhowbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. 3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, ethat they separated from Israel all fthe mixed multitude.

4 And before this, gEliashib the priest, †having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto hTobiah: 5 And he had prepared for him a great chamber, iwhere aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, †which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests. 6 *But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the ktwo and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes lking of Babylon came I unto the king, and †after certain days ||obtained I leave of the king: 7 And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that gEliashib did for hTobiah, min preparing him na chamber in the courts of the house of God. 8 And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. 9 Then I commanded, and they ocleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again mthe vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.