Nehemiah 13 describes the final reforms implemented by Nehemiah, the governor of Judah, upon his return from Babylon. Nehemiah discovered that the people had fallen into various sinful practices during his absence.
In verse 1, Nehemiah confronts the Israelites about their failure to separate themselves from the neighboring Ammonites and Moabites, who were known enemies of God's people. He cleansed the priesthood and expelled Tobiah, an Ammonite official, from the chambers of the temple.
Nehemiah also discovered that the Levites had not been receiving their appointed portions, causing them to abandon their duties in the temple. He rebuked the officials and ordered the people to bring their tithes and offerings to support the Levites and the temple worship.
Furthermore, Nehemiah found that the Sabbath was being profaned by buying and selling on that holy day. He confronted the merchants and warned them against such practices.
Nehemiah discovered that some Israelites had married foreign women, violating God's commandments. He confronted them, commanded the separation of the mixed marriages, and expelled one of the high priest's grandsons who had married a daughter of Sanballat, a notorious enemy.
Nehemiah ends the chapter by recounting his efforts to restore the proper functions of the temple and ensure the observance of God's laws.