Nehemiah 5:9

“What you're doing isn't right,” I told them. “Don't you think you should respect our God so that enemy nations don't criticize us?

Free Bible Version

In The King James Version

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?

In Context

8There I told them, “We have done as much as we can to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers as slaves! Are you expecting to sell them back to us?” They kept quiet because they couldn't think of anything to say.

10I, as well as my brothers and my men have been have been lending the people money and food. Please, let's stop this business of charging interest!

Read all of Nehemiah 5

Cross References

Genesis 20:11“Well, I thought to myself, ‘Nobody respects God in this place. They'll kill me just to get my wife,’” Abraham replied.

Leviticus 25:36Don't make them pay you any interest or demand more than they borrowed, but respect your God so that they can remain living in your area.

2 Samuel 12:14“But because by doing this you have treated the Lord with complete contempt, the son you have will die.”

Nehemiah 5:15But the governors before me had placed a heavy burden on the people, taking forty shekels of silver from them as well as food and wine. Their assistants also extorted the people. But because of my respect for God I didn't act like that.

Proverbs 17:26It's not right to impose a fine on someone who's innocent or to flog good leaders for their honesty.

Proverbs 19:2It's not good to be someone who doesn't think. If you rush, things go wrong.

Matthew Henry on Nehemiah 5:7-14

Grievances of the Poor Redressed. ( b. c. 445.) 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… Read the whole commentary →

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