^{17 Ref} Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, What evil thing is this that you do, and profane the Sabbath day?

^{18 Ref} Didn't your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this evil on us, and on this city? yet you bring more wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.

^{19 Ref} It came to pass that, when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut, and commanded that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath: and some of my servants set I over the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the Sabbath day.

²⁰ So the merchants and sellers of all kind of wares lodged outside of Jerusalem once or twice.