5:1 Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brethren.
5:1 Now there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish kin.

5:2 For there were those who said, "With our sons and our daughters, we are many; let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive."
5:2 For there were those who said, "With our sons and our daughters, we are many; we must get grain, so that we may eat and stay alive."

5:3 There were also those who said, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine."
5:3 There were also those who said, "We are having to pledge our fields, our vineyards, and our houses in order to get grain during the famine."

5:4 And there were those who said, "We have borrowed money for the king's tax upon our fields and our vineyards.
5:4 And there were those who said, "We are having to borrow money on our fields and vineyards to pay the king's tax.

5:5 Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children are as their children; yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved; but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards."
5:5 Now our flesh is the same as that of our kindred; our children are the same as their children; and yet we are forcing our sons and daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have been ravished; we are powerless, and our fields and vineyards now belong to others."

5:6 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words.
5:6 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints.

5:7 I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, "You are exacting interest, each from his brother." And I held a great assembly against them,
5:7 After thinking it over, I brought charges against the nobles and the officials; I said to them, "You are all taking interest from your own people." And I called a great assembly to deal with them,

5:8 and said to them, "We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brethren who have been sold to the nations; but you even sell your brethren that they may be sold to us!" They were silent, and could not find a word to say.
5:8 and said to them, "As far as we were able, we have bought back our Jewish kindred who had been sold to other nations; but now you are selling your own kin, who must then be bought back by us!" They were silent, and could not find a word to say.

5:9 So I said, "The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?
5:9 So I said, "The thing that you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God, to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?

5:10 Moreover I and my brethren and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us leave off this interest.
5:10 Moreover I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us stop this taking of interest.

5:11 Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the hundredth of money, grain, wine, and oil which you have been exacting of them."
5:11 Restore to them, this very day, their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the interest on money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them."

5:12 Then they said, "We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say." And I called the priests, and took an oath of them to do as they had promised.
5:12 Then they said, "We will restore everything and demand nothing more from them. We will do as you say." And I called the priests, and made them take an oath to do as they had promised.

5:13 I also shook out my lap and said, "So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not perform this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied." And all the assembly said "Amen" and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.
5:13 I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, "So may God shake out everyone from house and from property who does not perform this promise. Thus may they be shaken out and emptied." And all the assembly said, "Amen," and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.

5:14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Ar-ta-xerx'es the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brethren ate the food allowance of the governor.
5:14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor.

5:15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens upon the people, and took from them food and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God.
5:15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people, and took food and wine from them, besides forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God.

5:16 I also held to the work on this wall, and acquired no land; and all my servants were gathered there for the work.
5:16 Indeed, I devoted myself to the work on this wall, and acquired no land; and all my servants were gathered there for the work.

5:17 Moreover there were at my table a hundred and fifty men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations which were about us.
5:17 Moreover there were at my table one hundred fifty people, Jews and officials, beside those who came to us from the nations around us.

5:18 Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep; fowls likewise were prepared for me, and every ten days skins of wine in abundance; yet with all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the servitude was heavy upon this people.
5:18 Now that which was prepared for one day was one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and every ten days skins of wine in abundance; yet with all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because of the heavy burden of labor on the people.

5:19 Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.
5:19 Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.