Bible, King James Version
Nehemiah
Neh.5
[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 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.
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