Nehemiah 5:1-13

Nehemiah 5:1-13

[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  of our brethren,  our 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  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  to answer. [9] Also I said,  It is not good  that  ye do:  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  And the people  did  according to this promise.