“1 And there was 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: therefore we take up corn [for them], that we
may eat, and live. 3 [Some] also there were that said, We have mortgaged
our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the
dearth. 4 There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the
king’s tribute, [and that upon] our lands and vineyards. 5 Yet now our
flesh [is] as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children:
and, lo, we 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. 7 Then
I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and
said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a
great assembly against them. 8 And I said unto them, We after our
ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the
heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto
us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing [to answer]. 9 Also I
said, It [is] not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of
our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? 10 I
likewise, [and] my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money
and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury. 11 Restore, I pray
you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their
oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth [part] of the money,
and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. 12 Then
said they, We will restore [them], and will require nothing of them; so
will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath
of them, that they should do according to this promise. 13 Also I shook
my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from
his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken
out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the
LORD. 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 unto 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 [had been] before me were chargeable unto the people, and
had taken of them bread and wine, beside 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 thither
unto the work. 17 Moreover [there were] at my table an hundred and fifty
of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the
heathen that [are] about us. 18 Now [that] which was prepared [for me]
daily [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
required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy
upon this people. 19 Think upon me, my God, for good, [according] to all
that I have done for this people.” (Nehemiah 5:1-19 AV)
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