² I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani,^(A) along with Hananiah^(B) the commander of the citadel,^(C) because he was a man of integrity and feared^(D) God more than most people do. ³ I said to them, “The gates of Jerusalem are not to be opened until the sun is hot. While the gatekeepers are still on duty, have them shut the doors and bar them. Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near their own houses.”

The List of the Exiles Who Returned^(E)

⁴ Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it,^(F) and the houses had not yet been rebuilt.