Nehemiah 5 · נחמיה

And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.

For there were those who said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore let us get corn, that we may eat, and live.

Some also there were who said, We have mortgaged our lands, our vineyards, and our houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.

There were also those who said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.

Yet now our flesh is as good as the flesh of our brethren, our children as good as their children: and, lo, we press our sons and our daughters into slavery, and some of our daughters are pressed into slavery already: nor is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.

Then I took counsel with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said to them, You make claims for debt, everyone of his brother! And I held a great assembly against them.

And I said to them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, who were sold to the heathen; and will you nevertheless sell your brethren? or shall they be sold to us? Then they held their peace, and found nothing to answer.

Also I said, That which you do is not good: ought you not to walk in the fear of our God because of the insult of the heathen our enemies?

I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, have lent them money and corn: I pray you, let us release this debt.

Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the percentage of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that you exact of them.

Then they said, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayst. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.

Also I shook out my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, who does not perform this promise, even thus may he be shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the Lord. And the people did according to this promise.

Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Yehuda, from the twentieth year even to the thirty second year of Artaĥshasta the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.

But the former governors who had been before me laid burdens upon the people, and had taken of them for bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; even their servants bore rule over the people: but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

For I also continued in the work of this wall, nor did we buy any land: and all my servants were gathered there to the work.

Moreover there were at my table a hundred and fifty of the Jews and the rulers, besides those who came to us from among the nations who were round about us.

Now 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 did not demand the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.

Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.