1And there was 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 : therefore we take up corn for them , that we may eat , and live . 3Some also there were that said , We have mortgaged our lands , vineyards , and houses , that we might buy corn , because of the dearth . 4There were also that said , We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute , and that upon our lands and 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 unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and 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 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. 8And 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 . 9Also 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 ? 10I likewise, and my brethren , and my servants , might exact of them money and corn : I pray you, let us leave off this usury . 11Restore , I pray you, to them, even this day , their lands , their vineyards , their oliveyards , and their houses , also the hundredth part of the money , and of the corn , the 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 as thou sayest . Then I called the priests , and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise . 13Also 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 . 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 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 . 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 an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers , beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us . 18Now 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 . 19Think upon me, my God , for good , according to all that I have done for this people .