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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>Nehemiah 5 Christian Standard Bible</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/nehemiah/5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/nehemiah/5-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">CSB</a> > Nehemiah 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="../menu.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../nehemiah/4.htm" title="Nehemiah 4">◄</a> Nehemiah 5 <a href="../nehemiah/6.htm" title="Nehemiah 6">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">Christian Standard Bible</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/csb/esv/nehemiah/5.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Verses"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><section epub:type="chapter" id="csb-Nehemiah.5" /><h3 class="head1">Social Injustice</h3><p class="noind"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.1" /><A name="2"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>There was a widespread outcry from the people and their wives against their Jewish countrymen. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.2" /> <A name="3"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>Some were saying, “We, our sons, and our daughters are numerous. Let us get grain so that we can eat and live.” <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.3" /> <A name="4"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain during the famine.”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.3.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.4" /> <A name="5"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.4.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> on our fields and vineyards.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.4.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.5" /> <A name="6"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.5.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> Some of our daughters are already enslaved,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.5.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a> but we are powerless<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Nehemiah.5.5.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.6" /> <A name="7"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>I became extremely angry<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.6.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> when I heard their outcry and these complaints. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.7" /> <A name="8"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>After seriously considering the matter, I accused the nobles and officials, saying to them, “Each of you is charging his countrymen interest.”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.7.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> So I called a large assembly against them <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.8" /> <A name="9"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish countrymen who were sold to foreigners, but now you sell your own countrymen, and we have to buy them back.”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.8.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> They remained silent and could not say a word.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.8.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.9" /> <A name="10"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Then I said, “What you are doing isn’t right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.9.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> and not invite the reproach of our foreign enemies?<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.9.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.10" /> <A name="11"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Even I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending them money and grain. Please, let’s stop charging this interest.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Nehemiah.5.10.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.11" /> <A name="12"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>Return their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses to them immediately, along with the percentage<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Nehemiah.5.11.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> of the money, grain, new wine, and fresh oil<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.11.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> that you have been assessing them.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.12" /> <A name="13"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>They responded, “We will return these things and require nothing more from them.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.12.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> We will do as you say.”</p><p class="scripture">So I summoned the priests and made everyone take an oath<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.12.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a> to do this. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.13" /> <A name="14"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>I also shook the folds of my robe and said, “May God likewise shake from his house and property everyone who doesn’t keep this promise. May he be shaken out<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.13.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> and have nothing! ”</p><p class="scripture">The whole assembly said, “Amen,” and they praised the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span>. Then the people did as they had promised.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.13.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p><h3 class="head1">Good and Bad Governors</h3><p class="noind"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.14" /> <A name="15"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.14.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah — from the twentieth year until his thirty-second year, twelve years<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.14.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a> — I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.15" /> <A name="16"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>The governors<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.15.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them food and wine as well as a pound<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Nehemiah.5.15.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but because of the fear of God, I didn’t do this.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.15.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.16" /> <A name="17"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of this wall,<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.16.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn’t buy any land.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.16.2"><span class="xrfAlphabet">b</span></a></p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.17" /> <A name="18"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>There were 150 Jews and officials, as well as guests from the surrounding nations at my table.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.17.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.18" /> <A name="19"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>Each<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Nehemiah.5.18.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> day, one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me. An abundance of all kinds of wine was provided every ten days.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.18.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> But I didn’t demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy.</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Nehemiah.5.19" /> <span class="reftext"><a href="/nehemiah/5-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Remember me favorably, my God, for all that I have done for this people.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Nehemiah.5.19.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><br /><section id="footnotes-Nehemiah.5" class="fnSection"><aside id="fn.Nehemiah.5.5.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.5">5:5</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">but there is not the power in our hand</span></aside><aside id="fn.Nehemiah.5.10.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.10">5:10</a></span> Or <span class="italic">us forgive these debts</span></aside><aside id="fn.Nehemiah.5.11.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.11">5:11</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">hundred</span></aside><aside id="fn.Nehemiah.5.15.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.15">5:15</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">40 shekels</span></aside><aside id="fn.Nehemiah.5.18.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.18">5:18</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">And that which was prepared each</span></aside><br /><section id="cross-references-Nehemiah.5" class="xrfSection"><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.3.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.3">5:3</a></span> Hg 1:5–11</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.4.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.4">5:4</a></span> Ezr 4:13; 7:24</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.4.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.2">5:2-4</a></span> Dt 15:7–8</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.5.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.5">5:5</a></span> Lv 25:39–43</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.5.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.5">5:5</a></span> Ex 21:7–11</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.6.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.6">5:6</a></span> Ex 11:8; Eph 4:26–27</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.7.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.7">5:7</a></span> Ex 22:25; Dt 23:19–20</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.8.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.8">5:8</a></span> Ex 21:8; Lv 25:39–42</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.8.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.8">5:8</a></span> Jr 8:9</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.9.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.9">5:9</a></span> Lv 25:36</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.9.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.9">5:9</a></span> 2Sm 12:14; Neh 4:4</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.11.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.11">5:11</a></span> Neh 10:37</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.12.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.12">5:12</a></span> Neh 10:31</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.12.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.12">5:12</a></span> Ezr 10:5</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.13.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.13">5:13</a></span> Ac 18:6</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.13.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.13">5:13</a></span> Ezr 10:4–5; Neh 13:25</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.14.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.14">5:14</a></span> Ezr 4:7; 7:1</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.14.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.14">5:14</a></span> Neh 13:6</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.15.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.15">5:15</a></span> Ezr 5:3,14; Hg 1:1</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.15.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.15">5:15</a></span> Lv 25:36</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.16.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.16">5:16</a></span> Neh 4:1; 6:1; 2Th 3:7–10</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.16.2"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.16">5:16</a></span> Neh 5:3,7,11</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.17.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.17">5:17</a></span> 1Kg 4:27; 18:19</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.18.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.18">5:18</a></span> 1Kg 4:22–23</aside><aside id="xrf.Nehemiah.5.19.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Nehemiah.5.19">5:19</a></span> Neh 13:14,22,31</aside><br /><section id="study-notes-Nehemiah.5" class="snSection"><br /></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Christian Standard Bible. 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