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Nehemiah Denies His Allotment

14 Moreover, from the appointed day I was made their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes—twelve years. My brothers and I did not eat the food allowance of the governor. 15 The former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and they took food and wine from them, besides forty shekels. Also, their servants controlled the people, but I did not do so because of the fear of God. 16 I also devoted myself to the work of this wall, and we did not buy land. All of my servants were gathered for the work. 17 One hundred and fifty men, prefects and Jews, and those who came to us from the nations around us, were at my table. 18 Now what was prepared each day for me was one ox, six choice sheep, and birds. And every ten days all kinds of wine were made. But for this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor because the slavery was too heavy on this people. 19 Remember me for good, my God, all that I have done for this people.

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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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Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 5:15 Lit 40 shekels
  2. Nehemiah 5:18 Lit And that which was prepared each