^{4 Ref} And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:

^{5 Ref} And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where 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 Ref} But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:

^{7 Ref} And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God.

^{8 Ref} And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff to Tobiah out of the chamber.

^{9 Ref} Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.

^{10 Ref} And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field.

^{11 Ref} Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.

^{12 Ref} Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.

^{13 Ref} And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.

^{14 Ref} Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof.