Nehemiah 5

A Cry Against Economic Oppression

1There was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews. 2Some were saying, “We, our sons, and our daughters are many. We need grain so that we may eat and live.” 3Others were saying, “We are pledging our fields, vineyards, and houses so that we may get grain during the famine.” 4Others were saying, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards. 5Now our flesh is like the flesh of our relatives, our children like their children. Yet we are bringing our sons and daughters into servitude, and some of our daughters are already enslaved. We are powerless, because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”

Nehemiah Rebukes the Nobles

6I became very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. 7I considered the matter within myself and contended with the nobles and officials. I said to them, “Each of you is charging interest to your own relatives.” Then I held a great assembly against them. 8I said to them, “As far as we were able, we bought back our fellow Jews who had been sold to the nations. And now you are selling your own relatives so that they may be sold back to us?” They were silent and could not find a word. 9So I said, “What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies? 10I also, along with my relatives and servants, have been lending them money and grain. Please, let us leave off this interest. 11Restore to them today their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses, along with the hundredth part of the money, grain, new wine, and oil that you have been charging them.”

12They said, “We will restore it and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” Then I called the priests and made them swear to do according to this word. 13I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out from house and possession everyone who does not fulfill this word. So may that person be shaken out and emptied.” All the assembly said, “Amen,” and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this word.

Nehemiah Refuses the Governor’s Allowance

14Moreover, from the day I was appointed governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes—twelve years—I and my relatives did not eat the governor’s food allowance. 15The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Even their servants ruled harshly over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God. 16I also devoted myself to the work on this wall, and we acquired no land. All my servants were gathered there for the work. 17At my table were one hundred fifty Jews and officials, besides people who came to us from the nations around us. 18What was prepared each day was one ox and six choice sheep; birds were also prepared for me, and every ten days an abundance of every kind of wine. Yet with all this I did not demand the governor’s allowance, because the service was heavy on this people. 19Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.