Neh.5.1
And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
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
For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.
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
Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.
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
There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
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
Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
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
And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
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
Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
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
And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
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
Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?
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 likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
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
Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.
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
Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.
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
Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.
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
Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.
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
But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
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
Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.
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
Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that are about us.
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
Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.
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
Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
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.
