New International Version

Nehemiah 12:26-34 New International Version (NIV)

26. They served in the days of Joiakim son of Joshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law.

27. At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.

28. The musicians also were brought together from the region around Jerusalem—from the villages of the Netophathites,

29. from Beth Gilgal, and from the area of Geba and Azmaveth, for the musicians had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem.

30. When the priests and Levites had purified themselves ceremonially, they purified the people, the gates and the wall.

31. I had the leaders of Judah go up on top of the wall. I also assigned two large choirs to give thanks. One was to proceed on top of the wall to the right, toward the Dung Gate.

32. Hoshaiah and half the leaders of Judah followed them,

33. along with Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam,

34. Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah,