Nehemiah 5:14-19
English Standard Version
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. 17 Moreover, there were (E)at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. 18 (F)Now what was prepared at my expense[c] for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this (G)I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. 19 (H)Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Nehemiah 5:15 Compare Vulgate; Hebrew took from them for food and wine after
- Nehemiah 5:15 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams
- Nehemiah 5:18 Or prepared for me
Nehemiah 5:14-19
New Living Translation
14 For the entire twelve years that I was governor of Judah—from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes[a]—neither I nor my officials drew on our official food allowance. 15 The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces[b] of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way.
16 I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall. 17 I asked for nothing, even though I regularly fed 150 Jewish officials at my table, besides all the visitors from other lands! 18 The provisions I paid for each day included one ox, six choice sheep or goats, and a large number of poultry. And every ten days we needed a large supply of all kinds of wine. Yet I refused to claim the governor’s food allowance because the people already carried a heavy burden.
19 Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
