Thematic Bible




Nehemiah 5:1 (show verse)

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

Nehemiah 5:2 (show verse)

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

Nehemiah 5:3 (show verse)

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

Nehemiah 5:4 (show verse)

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

Nehemiah 5:5 (show verse)

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 because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”

Nehemiah 5:6 (show verse)

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

Nehemiah 5:7 (show verse)

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

Nehemiah 5:8 (show verse)

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.

Nehemiah 5:9 (show verse)

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?

Nehemiah 5:10 (show verse)

Even I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending them money and grain. Please, let us stop charging this interest.

Nehemiah 5:11 (show verse)

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

Nehemiah 5:12 (show verse)

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.

Nehemiah 5:13 (show verse)

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.

Nehemiah 5:14 (show verse)

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, 12 years—I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor.

Nehemiah 5:15 (show verse)

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

Nehemiah 5:16 (show verse)

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

Nehemiah 5:17 (show verse)

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

Nehemiah 5:18 (show verse)

Each day, one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me. An abundance of all kinds of wine was provided every 10 days. But I didn’t demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy.

Nehemiah 5:19 (show verse)

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