Nehemiah 5:15

But earlier rulers who were before me made the people responsible for their upkeep, and took from them bread and wine at the rate of forty shekels of silver; and even their servants were lords over the people: but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

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.

In Context

14Now from the time when I was made ruler of the people in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year till the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, for twelve years, I and my servants have never taken the food which was the right of the ruler.

16And I kept on with the work of this wall, and we got no land for ourselves: and all my servants were helping with the work.

Read all of Nehemiah 5

Cross References

1 Samuel 2:15And more than this, before the fat was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the man who was making the offering, Give me some of the flesh to be cooked for the priest; he has no taste for meat cooked in water, but would have you give it uncooked.

Nehemiah 5:9And I said, What you are doing is not good: is it not the more necessary for you to go in the fear of our God, because of the shame which the nations may put on us?

Psalms 112:1Let the Lord be praised. Happy is the man who gives honour to the Lord, and has great delight in his laws.

Proverbs 16:6By mercy and good faith evil-doing is taken away: and by the fear of the Lord men are turned away from evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:13This is the last word. All has been said. Have fear of God and keep his laws; because this is right for every man.

Lamentations 5:8Servants are ruling over us, and there is no one to make us free from their hands.

Matthew Henry on Nehemiah 5:15-19

The Generosity of Nehemiah. ( b. c. 445.) 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… Read the whole commentary →

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