Nehemiah 12:27-34

27This is what happened when we dedicated the wall of Jerusalem to God. The people told the Levites to come to Jerusalem from the places where they lived. They wanted the Levites to help them to praise God with joy. The Levites would sing songs to thank God. They would make music with cymbals, harps and lyres.

28The temple singers came together from places near Jerusalem. They came from villages round Netophah,

29and from Beth Gilgal, Geba and Azmaveth. The singers had built these villages so that they could live near to Jerusalem.

30The priests and the Levites made themselves clean to serve God. Then they made the people clean, as well as the city's gates and its wall.

31I took the leaders of Judah to go and stand on top of the wall. I chose two large groups of singers to thank God with songs. I told the first group to walk along the wall to the south, in the direction of the Dung Gate.

32Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah followed this group of singers.

33Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam,

34Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah and Jeremiah also followed them.