(KJV) Nehemiah 5¹

⥃Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed

[1] And there was a great cry² of the people and of their wives against their brethren³ the Jews. [2] For there were that said, We, our sons⁴, and our daughters, [are] many: therefore we take up corn⁵ [for them], that we may eat, and live. [3] [Some] also there were that said, We have mortgaged⁶ our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because⁷ of the dearth. [4] There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute⁸, [and that upon] our lands and vineyards. [5] Yet now our flesh⁹ [is] as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we¹⁰ bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and [some] of our daughters are brought unto bondage [already]: neither [is it] in our power [to redeem them]; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

[6] And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.¹¹ [7] Then I consulted with myself¹², and I rebuked¹³ the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury¹⁴, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly¹⁵ against them. [8] And I said unto them, We after¹⁶ our ability have redeemed¹⁷ our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your¹⁸ brethren? or shall they¹⁹ be sold unto us? Then held²⁰ they their peace, and found nothing [to answer]. [9] Also I said, It [is] not²¹ good that ye do: ought ye not to walk²² in the fear of our God because of the reproach²³ of the heathen our enemies? [10] I likewise²⁴, [and] my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you²⁵, let us leave²⁶ off this usury. [11] Restore²⁷, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands²⁸, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth²⁹ [part] of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. [12] Then said they, We will restore³⁰ [them], and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called³¹ the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. [13] Also I shook my lap³², and said, So God³³ shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied³⁴. And all the congregation said, Amen³⁵, and praised³⁶ the Lord. And the people³⁷ did according to this promise.

⥃Nehemiah’s Generosity

[14] Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth³⁸ year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, [that is], twelve years, I and my³⁹ brethren have not eaten the bread⁴⁰ of the governor. [15] But the former governors that [had been] before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their⁴¹ servants bare rule over the people: but so did⁴² not I, because⁴³ of the fear of God. [16] Yea, also I continued⁴⁴ in the work of this wall, neither bought⁴⁵ we any land: and all my⁴⁶ servants [were] gathered thither unto the work. [17] Moreover⁴⁷ [there were] at my table⁴⁸ an hundred⁴⁹ and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that [are] about us. [18] Now [that⁵⁰] which was prepared [for me] daily [was] one ox⁵¹ [and] six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required⁵² not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage⁵³ was heavy upon this people. [19] Think⁵⁴ upon me, my God, for good, [according] to⁵⁵ all that I have done for this people.