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NE-5:1 And there was a great cry of the people and of their
wives against their brethren the Jews.
NE-5:2 For 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.
NE-5:3 [Some] also there were that said, We have mortgaged our
lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of
the dearth.
NE-5:4 There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the
king's tribute, [and that upon] our lands and vineyards.
NE-5:5 Yet 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.
NE-5:6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these
words.
NE-5:7 Then 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.
NE-5:8 And 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].
NE-5:9 Also 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?
NE-5:10 I likewise, [and] my brethren, and my servants, might
exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this
usury.
NE-5:11 Restore, 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.
NE-5:12 Then 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.
NE-5:13 Also 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.
NE-5:14 Moreover 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.
NE-5:15 But 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.
NE-5:16 Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither
bought we any land: and all my servants [were] gathered thither
unto the work.
NE-5:17 Moreover [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.
NE-5:18 Now [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.
NE-5:19 Think upon me, my God, for good, [according] to all that
I have done for this people.
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