The Generosity of Nehemiah

14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year (A)until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers (B)ate the governor’s provisions. 15 But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but (C)I did not do so, because of the (D)fear of God. 16 Indeed, I also continued the (E)work on this wall, and [a]we did not buy any land. All my servants were gathered there for the work.

17 And (F)at my table were one hundred and fifty Jews and rulers, besides those who came to us from the nations around us. 18 Now that (G)which was prepared daily was one ox and six choice sheep. Also fowl were prepared for me, and once every ten days an abundance of all kinds of wine. Yet in spite of this (H)I did not demand the governor’s provisions, because the bondage was heavy on this people.

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

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Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 5:16 So with MT; LXX, Syr., Vg. I

14 Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes,(A) when I was appointed to be their governor(B) in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor. 15 But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels[a] of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God(C) I did not act like that. 16 Instead,(D) I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we[b] did not acquire any land.

17 Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations. 18 Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry(E) were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people.

19 Remember(F) me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people.

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Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 5:15 That is, about 1 pound or about 460 grams
  2. Nehemiah 5:16 Most Hebrew manuscripts; some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac I