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.

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Footnotes

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

Nehemiah's Generosity

14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from (A)the twentieth year to (B)the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, (C)neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. 15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration[a] forty shekels[b] of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, (D)because of the fear of God. 16 I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work.

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Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 5:15 Compare Vulgate; Hebrew took from them for food and wine after
  2. Nehemiah 5:15 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams

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.

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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

Nehemiah’s Example

14 Furthermore, since the day that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from (A)the twentieth year to the (B)thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, for twelve years, neither I nor my kinsmen have eaten the governor’s food allowance. 15 But the previous governors who were before me [a]laid burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty shekels of silver; even their servants domineered the people. But I did not do so (C)because of my fear of God. 16 I also [b]applied myself to the work on this wall; we did not buy any land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work.

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Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 5:15 Lit made heavy
  2. Nehemiah 5:16 Or held fast