In the month Nisan in the twentieth year of king Artaxerxes, when the wine stood before him, I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king and I was heavy in his presence.

But when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth and took great indignation and mocked the Jews

And Judah said, "The strength of the bearers is too feeble, and there is too much dust, we are not able to build on the wall."

For there were some that said, "Our sons and daughters and we are too many, let us take corn for them to eat, that we may live."

Then said they, "We will restore them again and will require nothing of them and will do as thou hast spoken." And I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do so.

Therefore took he the money, that through fear I should do so, and sin: that they might have an evil report of me, to blaspheme me.

And of the priests, the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite to wife, and was named after their name.

And they won their strong cities, and a fat land, and took possession of houses that were full of all manner goods, wells digged out, vineyards, olive gardens, and many fruitful trees: and they ate and were filled, and became fat, and lived in wealth through thy great goodness.

And I reproved them, and cursed them, and smote certain men of them, and plucked them up, and took an oath of them by God, "Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, neither shall ye take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.