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The Blue Letter Bible

Nehemiah 5 :: Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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Social Injustice
Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:1 -

There was a widespread outcry from the people and their wives against their Jewish countrymen.

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:2 -

Some were saying, “We, our sons, and our daughters are numerous. Let us get grain so that we can eat and live.”

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:3 -

Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain during the famine.”

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:4 -

Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:5 -

“We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless[fn] because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:6 -

I became extremely angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints.

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:7 -

After seriously considering the matter, I accused the nobles and officials, saying to them, “Each of you is charging his countrymen interest.” So I called a large assembly against them

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:8 -

and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish countrymen who were sold to foreigners, but now you sell your own countrymen, and we have to buy them back.” They remained silent and could not say a word.

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:9 -

Then I said, “What you are doing isn’t right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God and not invite the reproach of our foreign enemies?

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:10 -

“Even I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending them money and grain. Please, let’s stop charging this interest.[fn]

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:11 -

“Return their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses to them immediately, along with the percentage[fn] of the money, grain, new wine, and fresh oil that you have been assessing them.”

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:12 -

They responded, “We will return these things and require nothing more from them. We will do as you say.”

So I summoned the priests and made everyone take an oath to do this.

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:13 -

I also shook the folds of my robe and said, “May God likewise shake from his house and property everyone who doesn’t keep this promise. May he be shaken out and have nothing! ”

The whole assembly said, “Amen,” and they praised the LORD. Then the people did as they had promised.

Good and Bad Governors
Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:14 -

Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah ​— ​from the twentieth year until his thirty-second year, twelve years ​— ​I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor.

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:15 -

The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them food and wine as well as a pound[fn] of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but because of the fear of God, I didn’t do this.

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:16 -

Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of this wall, and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn’t buy any land.

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:17 -

There were 150 Jews and officials, as well as guests from the surrounding nations at my table.

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:18 -

Each[fn] day, one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me. An abundance of all kinds of wine was provided every ten days. But I didn’t demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy.

Unchecked Copy BoxNeh 5:19 -

Remember me favorably, my God, for all that I have done for this people.

CSB Footnotes
Lit but there is not the power in our hand
Or us forgive these debts
Lit hundred
Lit 40 shekels
Lit And that which was prepared each
CSB

Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017, 2020 by Holman Bible Publishers.

Additional information is provided here.

For more information on this translation, see the CSB Preface.

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