Neh.5.1

A great protest was mounted by the people, including the wives, against their fellow Jews.

Neh.5.1

Now the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their Jewish brothers.

Neh.5.1

And there was a great outcry of the people and their wives against their Jewish brethren.

Neh.5.1

About this time some of the men and their wives raised a cry of protest against their fellow Jews.

Neh.5.2

Some said, "We have big families, and we need food just to survive."

Neh.5.2

Some were saying, "We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain."

Neh.5.2

For there were those who said, "We, our sons, and our daughters are many; therefore let us get grain, that we may eat and live."

Neh.5.2

They were saying, "We have such large families. We need more money just so we can buy the food we need to survive."

Neh.5.3

Others said, "We're having to mortgage our fields and vineyards and homes to get enough grain to keep from starving."

Neh.5.3

Others were saying, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine."

Neh.5.3

There were also some who said, "We have mortgaged our lands and vineyards and houses, that we might buy grain because of the famine."

Neh.5.3

Others said, "We have mortgaged our fields, vineyards, and homes to get food during the famine."

Neh.5.4

And others said, "We're having to borrow money to pay the royal tax on our fields and vineyards.

Neh.5.4

Still others were saying, "We have had to borrow money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards.

Neh.5.4

There were also those who said, "We have borrowed money for the king's tax on our lands and vineyards.

Neh.5.4

And others said, "We have already borrowed to the limit on our fields and vineyards to pay our taxes.

Neh.5.5

Look: We're the same flesh and blood as our brothers here; our children are just as good as theirs. Yet here we are having to sell our children off as slaves--some of our daughters have already been sold--and we can't do anything about it because our fields and vineyards are owned by somebody else."

Neh.5.5

Although we are of the same flesh and blood as our countrymen and though our sons are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others."

Neh.5.5

Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children; and indeed we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have been brought into slavery. It is not in our power to redeem them, for other men have our lands and vineyards."

Neh.5.5

We belong to the same family, and our children are just like theirs. Yet we must sell our children into slavery just to get enough money to live. We have already sold some of our daughters, and we are helpless to do anything about it, for our fields and vineyards are already mortgaged to others."

Neh.5.6

I got really angry when I heard their protest and complaints.

Neh.5.6

When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry.

Neh.5.6

And I became very angry when I heard their outcry and these words.

Neh.5.6

When I heard their complaints, I was very angry.

Neh.5.7

After thinking it over, I called the nobles and officials on the carpet. I said, "Each one of you is gouging his brother." Then I called a big meeting to deal with them.

Neh.5.7

I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, "You are exacting usury from your own countrymen!" So I called together a large meeting to deal with them

Neh.5.7

After serious thought, I rebuked the nobles and rulers, and said to them, "Each of you is exacting usury from his brother." So I called a great assembly against them.

Neh.5.7

After thinking about the situation, I spoke out against these nobles and officials. I told them, "You are oppressing your own relatives by charging them interest when they borrow money!" Then I called a public meeting to deal with the problem.

Neh.5.8

I told them, "We did everything we could to buy back our Jewish brothers who had to sell themselves as slaves to foreigners. And now you're selling these same brothers back into debt slavery! Does that mean that we have to buy them back again?" They said nothing. What could they say?

Neh.5.8

and said: "As far as possible, we have bought back our Jewish brothers who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your brothers, only for them to be sold back to us!" They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.

Neh.5.8

And I said to them, "According to our ability we have redeemed our Jewish brethren who were sold to the nations. Now indeed, will you even sell your brethren? Or should they be sold to us?" Then they were silenced and found nothing to say.

Neh.5.8

At the meeting I said to them, "The rest of us are doing all we can to redeem our Jewish relatives who have had to sell themselves to pagan foreigners, but you are selling them back into slavery again. How often must we redeem them?" And they had nothing to say in their defense.

Neh.5.9

"What you're doing is wrong. Is there no fear of God left in you? Don't you care what the nations around here, our enemies, think of you?

Neh.5.9

So I continued, "What you are doing is not right. Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?

Neh.5.9

Then I said, "What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?

Neh.5.9

Then I pressed further, "What you are doing is not right! Should you not walk in the fear of our God in order to avoid being mocked by enemy nations?

Neh.5.10

"I and my brothers and the people working for me have also loaned them money. But this gouging them with interest has to stop.

Neh.5.10

I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop!

Neh.5.10

I also, with my brethren and my servants, am lending them money and grain. Please, let us stop this usury!

Neh.5.10

I myself, as well as my brothers and my workers, have been lending the people money and grain, but now let us stop this business of loans.

Neh.5.11

Give them back their foreclosed fields, vineyards, olive groves, and homes right now. And forgive your claims on their money, grain, new wine, and olive oil."

Neh.5.11

Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the usury you are charging them-the hundredth part of the money, grain, new wine and oil."

Neh.5.11

Restore now to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, also a hundredth of the money and the grain, the new wine and the oil, that you have charged them."

Neh.5.11

You must restore their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and homes to them this very day. Repay the interest you charged on their money, grain, wine, and olive oil."

Neh.5.12

They said, "We'll give it all back. We won't make any more demands on them. We'll do everything you say." Then I called the priests together and made them promise to keep their word.

Neh.5.12

"We will give it back," they said. "And we will not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say." Then I summoned the priests and made the nobles and officials take an oath to do what they had promised.

Neh.5.12

So they said, "We will restore it, and will require nothing from them; we will do as you say." Then I called the priests, and required an oath from them that they would do according to this promise.

Neh.5.12

Then they replied, "We will give back everything and demand nothing more from the people. We will do as you say." Then I called the priests and made the nobles and officials formally vow to do what they had promised.

Neh.5.13

Then I emptied my pockets, turning them inside out, and said, "So may God empty the pockets and house of everyone who doesn't keep this promise--turned inside out and emptied." Everyone gave a wholehearted "Yes, we'll do it!" and praised GOD. And the people did what they promised.

Neh.5.13

I also shook out the folds of my robe and said, "In this way may God shake out of his house and possessions every man who does not keep this promise. So may such a man be shaken out and emptied!" At this the whole assembly said, "Amen," and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.

Neh.5.13

Then I shook out the fold of my garment and said, "So may God shake out each man from his house, and from his property, who does not perform this promise. Even thus may he be shaken out and emptied." And all the assembly said, "Amen!" and praised the LORD. Then the people did according to this promise.

Neh.5.13

I shook out the fold of my robe and said, "If you fail to keep your promise, may God shake you from your homes and from your property!" The whole assembly responded, "Amen," and they praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.

Neh.5.14

From the time King Artaxerxes appointed me as their governor in the land of Judah--from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of his reign, twelve years--neither I nor my brothers used the governor's food allowance.

Neh.5.14

Moreover, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, until his thirty-second year-twelve years-neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor.

Neh.5.14

Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the governor's provisions.

Neh.5.14

I would like to mention that for the entire twelve years that I was governor of Judah--from the twentieth until the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes--neither I nor my officials drew on our official food allowance.

Neh.5.15

Governors who had preceded me had oppressed the people by taxing them forty shekels of silver (about a pound) a day for food and wine while their underlings bullied the people unmercifully. But out of fear of God I did none of that.

Neh.5.15

But the earlier governors-those preceding me-placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.

Neh.5.15

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 I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

Neh.5.15

This was quite a contrast to the former governors who had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides a pound of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because of my fear of God, I did not act that way.

Neh.5.16

I had work to do; I worked on this wall. All my men were on the job to do the work. We didn't have time to line our own pockets.

Neh.5.16

Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.

Neh.5.16

Indeed, I also continued the work on this wall, and we did not buy any land. All my servants were gathered there for the work.

Neh.5.16

I devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my officials to spend time working on the wall.

Neh.5.17

I fed one hundred and fifty Jews and officials at my table in addition to those who showed up from the surrounding nations.

Neh.5.17

Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations.

Neh.5.17

And at my table were one hundred and fifty Jews and rulers, besides those who came to us from the nations around us.

Neh.5.17

I asked for nothing, even though I regularly fed 150 Jewish officials at my table, besides all the visitors from other lands!

Neh.5.18

One ox, six choice sheep, and some chickens were prepared for me daily, and every ten days a large supply of wine was delivered. Even so, I didn't use the food allowance provided for the governor--the people had it hard enough as it was.

Neh.5.18

Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry 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.

Neh.5.18

Now that 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 I did not demand the governor's provisions, because the bondage was heavy on this people.

Neh.5.18

The provisions required at my expense for each day were one ox, six fat sheep, and a large number of domestic fowl. 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 were already having a difficult time.

Neh.5.19

Remember in my favor, O my God, Everything I've done for these people.

Neh.5.19

Remember me with favor, O my God, for all I have done for these people.

Neh.5.19

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

Neh.5.19

Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it.

Neh.6.1

When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that there were no more breaks in it--even though I hadn't yet installed the gates

Neh.6.1

When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it-though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates-

Neh.6.1

Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates),

Neh.6.1

When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained--though we had not yet hung the doors in the gates--

Neh.6.2

-Sanballat and Geshem sent this message: "Come and meet with us at Kephirim in the valley of Ono." I knew they were scheming to hurt me

Neh.6.2

Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: "Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono." But they were scheming to harm me;

Neh.6.2

that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono." But they thought to do me harm.

Neh.6.2

Sanballat and Geshem sent me a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to harm me,

Neh.6.3

so I sent messengers back with this: "I'm doing a great work; I can't come down. Why should the work come to a standstill just so I can come down to see you?"

Neh.6.3

so I sent messengers to them with this reply: "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?"

Neh.6.3

So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?"

Neh.6.3

so I replied by sending this message to them: "I am doing a great work! I cannot stop to come and meet with you."

Neh.6.4

Four times they sent this message and four times I gave them my answer.

Neh.6.4

Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.

Neh.6.4

But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner.

Neh.6.4

Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.

Neh.6.5

The fifth time--same messenger, same message--Sanballat sent an unsealed letter

Neh.6.5

Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter

Neh.6.5

Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.

Neh.6.5

The fifth time, Sanballat's servant came with an open letter in his hand,

Neh.6.6

with this message: "The word is out among the nations--and Geshem says it's true--that you and the Jews are planning to rebel. That's why you are rebuilding the wall. The word is that you want to be king

Neh.6.6

in which was written: "It is reported among the nations-and Geshem says it is true-that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king

Neh.6.6

In it was written: It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their king.

Neh.6.6

and this is what it said: "Geshem tells me that everywhere he goes he hears that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king.

Neh.6.7

and that you have appointed prophets to announce in Jerusalem, "There's a king in Judah!' The king is going to be told all this--don't you think we should sit down and have a talk?"

Neh.6.7

and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: 'There is a king in Judah!' Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us confer together."

Neh.6.7

And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, "There is a king in Judah!" Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together.

Neh.6.7

He also reports that you have appointed prophets to prophesy about you in Jerusalem, saying, 'Look! There is a king in Judah!'"You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me."

Neh.6.8

I sent him back this: "There's nothing to what you're saying. You've made it all up."

Neh.6.8

I sent him this reply: "Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head."

Neh.6.8

Then I sent to him, saying, "No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart."

Neh.6.8

My reply was, "You know you are lying. There is no truth in any part of your story."

Neh.6.9

They were trying to intimidate us into quitting. They thought, "They'll give up; they'll never finish it." I prayed, "Give me strength." [JC]

Neh.6.9

They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed." But I prayed, "Now strengthen my hands."

Neh.6.9

For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, "Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done." Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

Neh.6.9

They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could break our resolve and stop the work. So I prayed for strength to continue the work.

Neh.6.10

Then I met secretly with Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, at his house. He said: Let's meet at the house of God, inside The Temple; Let's find safety behind locked doors because they're coming to kill you, Yes, coming by night to kill you.

Neh.6.10

One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, "Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you-by night they are coming to kill you."

Neh.6.10

Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, "Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you."

Neh.6.10

Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, "Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight."

Neh.6.11

I said, "Why would a man like me run for cover? And why would a man like me use The Temple as a hideout? I won't do it."

Neh.6.11

But I said, "Should a man like me run away? Or should one like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!"

Neh.6.11

And I said, "Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!"

Neh.6.11

But I replied, "Should someone in my position run away from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won't do it!"

Neh.6.12

I sensed that God hadn't sent this man. The so-called prophecy he spoke to me was the work of Tobiah and Sanballat; they had hired him.

Neh.6.12

I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

Neh.6.12

Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

Neh.6.12

I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

Neh.6.13

He had been hired to scare me off--trick me--a layman, into desecrating The Temple and ruining my good reputation so they could accuse me.

Neh.6.13

He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.

Neh.6.13

For this reason he was hired, that I should be afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me.

Neh.6.13

They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin by following his suggestion. Then they would be able to accuse and discredit me.

Neh.6.14

"O my God, don't let Tobiah and Sanballat get by with all the mischief they've done. And the same goes for the prophetess Noadiah and the other prophets who have been trying to undermine my confidence." [JC]

Neh.6.14

Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me.

Neh.6.14

My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid.

Neh.6.14

Remember, O my God, all the evil things that Tobiah and Sanballat have done. And remember Noadiah the prophet and all the prophets like her who have tried to intimidate me.

Neh.6.15

The wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul. It had taken fifty-two days.

Neh.6.15

So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.

Neh.6.15

So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days.

Neh.6.15

So on October 2 the wall was finally finished--just fifty-two days after we had begun.

Neh.6.16

When all our enemies heard the news and all the surrounding nations saw it, our enemies totally lost their nerve. They knew that God was behind this work.

Neh.6.16

When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

Neh.6.16

And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.

Neh.6.16

When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

Neh.6.17

All during this time letters were going back and forth constantly between the nobles of Judah and Tobiah.

Neh.6.17

Also, in those days the nobles of Judah were sending many letters to Tobiah, and replies from Tobiah kept coming to them.

Neh.6.17

Also in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came to them.

Neh.6.17

During those fifty-two days, many letters went back and forth between Tobiah and the officials of Judah.

Neh.6.18

Many of the nobles had ties to him because he was son-in-law to Shecaniah son of Arah and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah.

Neh.6.18

For many in Judah were under oath to him, since he was son-in-law to Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah.

Neh.6.18

For many in Judah were pledged to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shechaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.

Neh.6.18

For many in Judah had sworn allegiance to him because his father-in-law was Shecaniah son of Arah and because his son Jehohanan was married to the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah.

Neh.6.19

They kept telling me all the good things he did and then would report back to him anything I would say. And then Tobiah would send letters to intimidate me.

Neh.6.19

Moreover, they kept reporting to me his good deeds and then telling him what I said. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.

Neh.6.19

Also they reported his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to frighten me.

Neh.6.19

They kept telling me what a wonderful man Tobiah was, and then they told him everything I said. And Tobiah sent many threatening letters to intimidate me.

Neh.7.1

After the wall was rebuilt and I had installed the doors, and the security guards, the singers, and the Levites were appointed,

Neh.7.1

After the wall had been rebuilt and I had set the doors in place, the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were appointed.

Neh.7.1

Then it was, when the wall was built and I had hung the doors, when the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed,

Neh.7.1

After the wall was finished and I had hung the doors in the gates, the gatekeepers, singers, and Levites were appointed.

Neh.7.2

I put my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the captain of the citadel, in charge of Jerusalem because he was an honest man and feared God more than most men.

Neh.7.2

I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do.

Neh.7.2

that I gave the charge of Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the leader of the citadel, for he was a faithful man and feared God more than many.

Neh.7.2

I gave the responsibility of governing Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, for he was a faithful man who feared God more than most.

Neh.7.3

I gave them this order: "Don't open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is up. And shut and bar the gates while the guards are still on duty. Appoint the guards from the citizens of Jerusalem and assign them to posts in front of their own homes."

Neh.7.3

I said to them, "The gates of Jerusalem are not to be opened until the sun is hot. While the gatekeepers are still on duty, have them shut the doors and bar them. Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near their own houses."

Neh.7.3

And I said to them, "Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut and bar the doors; and appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, one at his watch station and another in front of his own house."

Neh.7.3

I said to them, "Do not leave the gates open during the hottest part of the day. And while the gatekeepers are still on duty, have them shut and bar the doors. Appoint the residents of Jerusalem to act as guards, everyone on a regular watch. Some will serve at their regular posts and some in front of their own homes."