Nehemiah 5:14-19
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Good and Bad Governors
14 Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes(A) appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah—from the twentieth year until his thirty-second year, 12 years(B)—I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor. 15 The governors(C) who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking food and wine from them, as well as a pound[a] of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but I didn’t do this, because of the fear of God.(D) 16 Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of the wall,(E) and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn’t buy any land.(F)
17 There were 150 Jews and officials, as well as guests from the surrounding nations at my table.(G) 18 Each[b] day, one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me. An abundance of all kinds of wine was provided every 10 days.(H) But I didn’t demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy.
19 Remember me favorably, my God, for all that I have done for this people.(I)
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- Nehemiah 5:15 Lit 40 shekels
- Nehemiah 5:18 Lit And that which was prepared each
Nehemiah 5:14-19
Common English Bible
Generous Governor Nehemiah
14 In addition, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah (that is, from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes for a total of twelve years), neither I nor my family ate from the governor’s food allowance. 15 The earlier governors who had come before me laid heavy burdens on the people. They took food and wine from them as well as[a] forty shekels of silver. Even their servants oppressed the people. But because I was God-fearing, I didn’t behave in this way.
16 Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. We acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 17 One hundred fifty Jews and officials, along with those who came to us from the surrounding nations, gathered around my table. 18 One ox, six choice sheep, and birds were prepared each day. Every ten days there was a large amount of wine. Yet even with this I didn’t ask for the governor’s food allowance because of the heavy burden the people had to carry.
19 Remember in my favor, my God, all that I’ve done for this people!
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- Nehemiah 5:15 Heb uncertain
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