Neh 5
1
Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren
the Jews.
2
For there were that said, We, our sons and our daughters, are many: let us get grain,
that we may eat and live.
3
Some also there were that said, We are mortgaging our fields, and our vineyards, and
our houses: let us get grain, because of the dearth.
4
There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king`s tribute [upon] our
fields and our vineyards.
5
Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children:
and, behold, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and
some of our daughters are brought into bondage [already]: neither is it in our power
to help it; for other men have our fields and our vineyards.
6
And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
7
Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said
to them, You exact usury, every one of his brother. And I held a great assembly against
them.
8
And I said to them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, that
were sold to the nations; and would you even sell your brethren, and should they be
sold to us? Then held they their peace, and found never a word.
9
Also I said, The thing that you do is not good: ought you not to walk in the fear
of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?
10
And I likewise, my brethren and my servants, do lend them money and grain. I pray
you, let us leave off this usury.
11
Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their fields, their vineyards, their
oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the grain,
the new wine, and the oil, that you exact of them.
12
Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we
do, even as you say. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they
would do according to this promise.
13
Also I shook out my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and
from his labor, that performs not this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and emptied.
And all the assembly said, Amen, and praised YHWH. And the people did according to
this promise.
14
Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah,
from the twentieth year even to the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king,
[that is], twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
15
But the former governors that were before me were chargeable to the people, and took
of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants
bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
16
Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all
my servants were gathered there to the work.
17
Moreover there were at my table, of the Jews and the rulers, a hundred and fifty men,
besides those that came to us from among the nations that were round about us.
18
Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox 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 I demanded not the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon
this people.
19
Remember to me, O my God, for good, all that I have done for this people.