Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed
1 Then there arose a great cry from the people and from their wives against their brothers, the Jews.
2 For there were some who said, “We, our sons and our daughters, are many. Let us get grain, that we may eat and live.”
3 There were also some who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses. Let us get grain, because of the famine.”
4 There were also some who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute using our fields and our vineyards as collateral. 5 Yet we are the flesh and blood of our brothers. Our children are the same as their children. We are bringing our sons and our daughters into bondage to be servants, and some of our daughters have been brought into slavery. And it is beyond our power to help them because other men have possession of our fields and our vineyards.”
6 I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. 7 After contemplating the matter, I contended with the nobles and the rulers and said to them, “You exact usury, everyone from his brother.”
I held a great assembly against them. 8 I said to them, “We, according to our ability, have redeemed our brothers, the Jews that were sold to other nations; and would you now sell your brothers, and should they be sold to us?”
Then they held their peace and found not a word to say. 9 Also I said, “This thing that you are doing is not good. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies? 10 I likewise, my brothers and my servants, lend them money and grain. Please let us stop this usury. 11 Please restore to them, today: their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, also the interest on the money, and the grain, and the new wine, and the oil, that you are charging them.”
12 Then they said, “We will restore them and will require nothing of them. We will do so, just as you say.”
Then I called the priests, and took an oath from them, that they would do according to this promise. 13 Also I shook the lap of my robe and said, “So may the Lord shake out every man from his house and from his labor, that does not perform this promise. May he be shaken out and emptied like this.”
All the assembly said, “Amen,” and praised the Lord. The people 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 twentieth year to the 32nd year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brothers have not eaten the bread of the governor.
15 But the former governors who were before me were supported by the people, and took bread and wine from them, plus 40 pieces of silver. Their servants also ruled over the people, but I did not do so, because of my fear of God. 16 I gave myself to the work of this wall and did not buy any land. All my servants were gathered there for the work.
17 Moreover, there were at my table, 150 of the Jews and the rulers, in addition to those who came to us from among the nations that were around 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 every ten days a store of all sorts of wine. Yet for all this, I did not demand the governor’s pay because the bondage was heavy on this people.
19 Remember me, my God, for good, for all that I have done for this people.