1Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews . 2For there were that said, We, our sons and our daughters , are many : let us get grain , that we may eat and live . 3Some also there were that said, We are mortgaging our fields , and our vineyards , and our houses : let us get grain , because of the dearth . 4There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king ’s tribute upon our fields and our vineyards . 5Yet 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 into bondage already : neither is it in our power to help it ; for other men have our fields and our vineyards .
Nehemiah's Response to the Oppression
6And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words . 7Then I consulted with myself , and contended with the nobles and the rulers , and said unto them , Ye exact usury , every one of his brother. And I held a great assembly against them . 8And I said unto them , We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews , that were sold unto the nations ; and would ye even sell your brethren, and should they be sold unto us ? Then held they their peace , and found never a word . 9Also I said , The thing that ye do is not good : ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God , because of the reproach of the nations our enemies? 10And I likewise , my brethren and my servants , do lend them money and grain . I pray you , let us leave off this usury . 11Restore , I pray you , to them , even this day , their fields , their vineyards , their oliveyards , and their houses , also the hundredth part of the money , and of the grain , the new wine , and the oil , that ye exact of them .
Nehemiah's Example of Generosity
12Then said they , We will restore them , and will require nothing of them ; so will we do , even as thou sayest. Then I called the priests , and took an oath of them , that they would do according to this promise . 13Also I shook out my lap , and said , So God shake out every man from his house , and from his labor , that performeth not this promise ; even thus be he shaken out , and emptied . And all the assembly said , Amen, and praised Jehovah . And the people did according to this promise . 14Moreover 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 . 15But the former governors that were before me were chargeable unto the people , and took of them bread and wine , besides forty shekels of silver ; yea , even their servants bare rule over the people : but so did not I , because of the fear of God . 16Yea , also I continued in the work of this wall , neither bought we any land : and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work . 17Moreover there were at my table , of the Jews and the rulers , a hundred and fifty men, besides those that came unto us from among the nations that were round about us . 18Now that which was prepared for one day 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 I demanded not the bread of the governor , because the bondage was heavy upon this people . 19Remember unto me , O my God, for good , all that I have done for this people .