¹⁷I gave a warning to the nobles of Judah. I said, “Why are you doing such an evil thing? You are misusing the Sabbath day! ¹⁸Your people before you did the very same things. That’s why our God has brought all of this trouble on us. That’s why he’s making this city suffer so much. Now you are stirring up even more of his anger against Israel. You are misusing the Sabbath day.”

¹⁹Evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath started. So I ordered the gates to be shut. They had to remain closed until the Sabbath 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.

²⁰Once or twice some traders and sellers spent the night outside Jerusalem. They were hoping to sell all kinds of goods. ²¹But 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 anymore.

²²I commanded the Levites to make themselves pure. Then I told them to go and guard the gates. I wanted the Sabbath day to be kept holy.

You are my God. Remember me because of the good things I’ve done. Be kind to me in keeping with your great love.

Read in Logos