1 And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. 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. 3 Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth. 4 There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards. 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.
6 ¶ And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. 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. 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 . 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? 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. 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. 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. 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.
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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 19 Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.
Nehemija nostājas pret augļošanu
1 Sākās liela ļaužu un sievu kliegšana pret saviem brāļiem jūdiem. 2 Un daži teica: “Mūsu, mūsu dēlu un meitu ir daudz, lai mums dod labību, ka ēdam un dzīvojam!” 3 Bet citi teica: “Mums jāieķīlā lauki, vīnadārzi un mājas, lai bada laikā dabūtu labību!” 4 Un vēl citi teica: “Mēs esam aizņēmušies naudu par saviem laukiem un vīnadārziem ķēniņa nodokļu dēļ! 5 Redzi, mūsu miesa ir tāda pati kā mūsu brāļu miesa, viņu dēli ir tādi paši kā mūsējie, taču savi dēli un meitas mums jāpadara par vergiem, un dažas mūsu meitas jau ir verdzībā, bet mēs nespējam palīdzēt, jo mūsu lauki un vīnadārzi pieder citiem!”
6 Izdzirdējis viņu kliegšanu un sacīto, es ļoti sadusmojos. 7 Es to rūpīgi apsvēru un norāju dižciltīgos un ierēdņus. Es sacīju: “Jūs no saviem brāļiem esat ņēmuši augļus!” Es sasaucu lielu sapulci 8 un sacīju tiem: “Cik vien bijis iespējams, mēs esam izpirkuši savus brāļus jūdus, kas pārdoti citām tautām, bet tagad jūs pārdodat savus brāļus un mums tie jāizpērk?!” Tie cieta klusu un nespēja atbildēt.
9 Tad es sacīju: “Tas, ko jūs darāt, nav labi! Vai mūsu ienaidnieku un citu tautu izsmiekla dēļ jūs esat pārstājuši bīties Dieva? 10 Arī es, mani brāļi un puiši ir devuši tiem naudu un labību, tad nu atlaidīsim tiem parādu! 11 Atdodiet jau šodien viņu laukus, vīnadārzus, olīvkokus, mājas un simto daļu viņu naudas, labības, jaunā vīna un eļļas, ko esat tiem atņēmuši!” 12 Un viņi teica: “Mēs atdosim un neatprasīsim. Mēs darīsim, kā tu sacīji!” Tad es sasaucu priesterus un liku tiem zvērēt, ka tā tiks darīts. 13 Es izpurināju apģērba azoti un teicu: “Tā Dievs izpurinās no mājas un mantības ikvienu, kurš neturēs šo solījumu! Tāds būs izpurināts un tukšs!” Visa sapulce teica: “Patiesi!” Viņi slavēja Kungu, un tauta tā darīja.
Nehemijas uzupurēšanās
14 No dienas, kad man pavēlēja būt Jūdu zemes valdniekam, no ķēniņa Artakserksa divdesmitā gada līdz trīsdesmit otrajam gadam, divpadsmit gadus ne es, ne mani brāļi neēdām valdības maizi. 15 Valdnieki, kas bija pirms manis, tautu smagi apspieda, ņēma no tiem maizei un vīnam četrdesmit šekeļus sudraba, un tautu apspieda pat viņu puiši, taču es tā nedarīju, jo bijos Dieva. 16 Turklāt es pūlējos pie mūra darbiem! Tīrumus mēs neesam ieguvuši, arī visi mani puiši bija pie kopīgā darba. 17 Pie mana galda ēda jūdi un ierēdņi, simts piecdesmit vīru, pie mums nāca arī cittautieši no apkārtnes. 18 Katru dienu tika gatavots viens vērsis, sešas nevainojamas avis un gatavoja arī putnus, un ik pa desmit dienām ļoti daudz vīna no visām šķirnēm! Un tomēr es nelūkoju pēc valdības maizes, jo tautai šī kalpošana bija smaga! 19 Atceries mani, Kungs, par visu labo, ko esmu darījis šai tautai!
