Nehemiah

1 And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brothers the Jews.

1 καὶ ἦν κραυγὴ τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ γυναικῶν αὐτῶν μεγάλη πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτῶν τοὺς Ἰουδαίους.	1 Καὶ ἡ κραυγὴ τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ γυναικῶν αὐτῶν μεγάλη πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτῶν τοὺς Ἰουδαίους.
1 And the outcry of the people and their wives was great toward their brothers the Joudeans.	1 And the outcry of the people and their wives was great toward their brothers the Joudeans.

2 For there were those who said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many; therefore we take up grain for them, that we may eat, and live.

2 καὶ ἦσάν τινες λέγοντες Ἐν υἱοῖς ἡμῶν καὶ ἐν θυγατράσιν ἡμῶν ἡμεῖς πολλοί· καὶ λημψόμεθα σῖτον καὶ φαγόμεθα καὶ ζησόμεθα.	2 καὶ ἦσάν τινες λέγοντες· ἐν υἱοῖς ἡμῶν καὶ ἐν θυγατράσιν ἡμῶν ἡμεῖς πολλοί· καὶ ληψόμεθα σῖτον καὶ φαγόμεθα καὶ ζησόμεθα.
2 And some said, With our sons and our daughters, we are many; and we will get grain and eat and live.	2 And some said, With our sons and our daughters, we are many; and we will get grain and eat and live.

3 Some also there were who said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy grain, because of the dearth.

3 καὶ εἰσίν τινες λέγοντες Ἀγροὶ ἡμῶν καὶ ἀμπελῶνες ἡμῶν καὶ οἰκίαι ἡμῶν, ἡμεῖς διεγγυῶμεν· καὶ λημψόμεθα σῖτον καὶ φαγόμεθα.	3 καὶ εἰσί τινες λέγοντες· ἀγροὶ ἡμῶν καὶ ἀμπελῶνες ἡμῶν καὶ οἰκίαι ἡμῶν, ἡμεῖς διεγγυῶμεν, καὶ ληψόμεθα σῖτον καὶ φαγόμεθα.
3 And some said, “We are mortgaging our fields and vineyards and houses, so we will get grain, and eat.”	3 And some said, “We are mortgaging our fields and vineyards and houses, so we will get grain, and eat.”

4 There were also some who said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute, and that on our lands and vineyards.

4 καὶ εἰσίν τινες λέγοντες Ἐδανεισάμεθα ἀργύριον εἰς φόρους τοῦ βασιλέως, ἀγροὶ ἡμῶν καὶ ἀμπελῶνες ἡμῶν καὶ οἰκίαι ἡμῶν·	4 καὶ εἰσί τινες λέγοντες· ἐδανεισάμεθα ἀργύριον εἰς φόρους τοῦ βασιλέως, ἀγροὶ ἡμῶν καὶ ἀμπελῶνες ἡμῶν καὶ οἰκίαι ἡμῶν·
4 And some said, “We borrowed money for the king’s tributes – our fields, and our vineyards, and houses.	4 And some said, “We borrowed money for the king’s tributes – our fields, and our vineyards, and houses.

5 Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, 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 to bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

5 καὶ νῦν ὡς σὰρξ ἀδελφῶν ἡμῶν σὰρξ ἡμῶν, ὡς υἱοὶ αὐτῶν υἱοὶ ἡμῶν· καὶ ἰδοὺ ἡμεῖς καταδυναστεύομεν τοὺς υἱοὺς ἡμῶν καὶ τὰς θυγατέρας ἡμῶν εἰς δούλους, καὶ εἰσὶν ἀπὸ θυγατέρων ἡμῶν καταδυναστευόμεναι, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν δύναμις χειρῶν ἡμῶν, καὶ ἀγροὶ ἡμῶν καὶ ἀμπελῶνες ἡμῶν τοῖς ἐντίμοις.	5 καὶ νῦν ὡς σὰρξ ἀδελφῶν ἡμῶν σὰρξ ἡμῶν, ὡς υἱοὶ αὐτῶν υἱοὶ ἡμῶν. καὶ ἰδοὺ ἡμεῖς καταδυναστεύομεν τοὺς υἱοὺς ἡμῶν καὶ τὰς θυγατέρας ἡμῶν εἰς δούλους, καί εἰσιν ἀπὸ θυγατέρων ἡμῶν καταδυναστευόμεναι, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι δύναμις χειρῶν ἡμῶν, καὶ ἀγροὶ ἡμῶν καὶ ἀμπελῶνες ἡμῶν τοῖς ἐντίμοις.
5 And now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our sons are as their sons; and, behold, we are opressing our sons and our daughters into slavery, and some of our daughters are oppressed; and there is no strength in our hands, and our fields and our vineyards belong to the influential.”	5 And now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our sons are as their sons; and, behold, we are opressing our sons and our daughters into slavery, and some of our daughters are oppressed; and there is no strength in our hands, and our fields and our vineyards belong to the influential.”

6 And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.

6 καὶ ἐλυπήθην σφόδρα, καθὼς ἤκουσα τὴν κραυγὴν αὐτῶν καὶ τοὺς λόγους τούτους.	6 καὶ ἐλυπήθην σφόδρα, καθὼς ἤκουσα τὴν κραυγὴν αὐτῶν καὶ τοὺς λόγους τούτους.
6 And I was very grieved as I heard their outcry and these words.	6 And I was very grieved as I heard their outcry and these words.

7 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said to them, You exact usury, everyone of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.

7 καὶ ἐβουλεύσατο καρδία μου ἐπ’ ἐμέ, καὶ ἐμαχεσάμην πρὸς τοὺς ἐντίμους καὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας καὶ εἶπα αὐτοῖς Ἀπαιτήσει ἀνὴρ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ ὑμεῖς ἀπαιτεῖτε. καὶ ἔδωκα ἐπ’ αὐτοὺς ἐκκλησίαν μεγάλην	7 καὶ ἐβουλεύσατο καρδία μου ἐπ’ ἐμέ, καὶ ἐμαχεσάμην πρὸς τοὺς ἐντίμους καὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας καὶ εἶπα αὐτοῖς· ἀπαιτήσει ἀνὴρ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, ἃ ὑμεῖς ἀπαιτεῖτε. καὶ ἔδωκα ἐπ’ αὐτοὺς ἐκκλησίαν μεγάλην
7 Within me, I planned in my heart, and I argued with the influential men and the rulers and said to them, “Will a man demand repayment from his brother? You are demanding repayment!” Then I convened a great assembly for them.	7 Within me, I planned in my heart, and I argued with the influential men and the rulers and said to them, “Will a man demand repayment from his brother? You are demanding repayment!” Then I convened a great assembly for them.

8 And I said to them, We after our ability have redeemed our brothers the Jews, who were sold to the heathen; and will you even sell your brothers? Or shall they be sold to us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.

8 καὶ εἶπα αὐτοῖς Ἡμεῖς κεκτήμεθα τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ἡμῶν τοὺς Ἰουδαίους τοὺς πωλουμένους τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἐν ἑκουσίῳ ἡμῶν· καὶ ὑμεῖς πωλεῖτε τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ὑμῶν; καὶ ἡσύχασαν καὶ οὐχ εὕροσαν λόγον.	8 καὶ εἶπα αὐτοῖς· ἡμεῖς κεκτήμεθα τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ἡμῶν τοὺς Ἰουδαίους τοὺς πωλουμένους τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἐν ἑκουσίῳ ἡμῶν· καὶ ὑμεῖς πωλεῖτε τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ὑμῶν καὶ παραδοθήσονται ἡμῖν; καὶ ἡσύχασαν καὶ οὐχ εὕροσαν λόγον.
8 and I said to them, “We, of our free-will, have acquired our Joudean brothers who were sold to the Gentiles. Now are you selling your brothers?” And they were silent, and couldn’t find a word.	8 and I said to them, “We, of our free-will, have acquired our Joudean brothers who were sold to the Gentiles. Now are you selling your brothers?” And they were silent, and couldn’t find a word.

9 Also I said, It is not good what you do: anything you not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?

9 καὶ εἶπα Οὐκ ἀγαθός, ὁ λόγος ὃν ὑμεῖς ποιεῖτε· οὐχ οὕτως, ἐν φόβῳ θεοῦ ἡμῶν ἀπελεύσεσθε ἀπὸ ὀνειδισμοῦ τῶν ἐθνῶν τῶν ἐχθρῶν ἡμῶν.	9 καὶ εἶπα· οὐκ ἀγαθὸς ὁ λόγος, ὃν ὑμεῖς ποιεῖτε· οὐχ οὕτως ἐν φόβῳ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν ἀπελεύσεσθε ἀπὸ ὀνειδισμοῦ τῶν ἐθνῶν τῶν ἐχθρῶν ἡμῶν.
9 And I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Thus you won’t proceed in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations our enemies.	9 And I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Thus you won’t proceed in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations our enemies.

10 I likewise, and my brothers, and my servants, might exact of them money and grain: please, let’s leave off this usury.

10 καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί μου καὶ οἱ γνωστοί μου καὶ ἐγὼ ἐθήκαμεν ἐν αὐτοῖς ἀργύριον καὶ σῖτον· ἐγκαταλίπωμεν δὴ τὴν ἀπαίτησιν ταύτην.	10 καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί μου καὶ οἱ γνωστοί μου καὶ ἐγὼ ἐθήκαμεν ἑαυτοῖς ἀργύριον καὶ σῖτον· ἐγκατελίπομεν δὴ τὴν ἀπαίτησιν ταύτην.
10 My brothers, and my acquaintances, and I have entrusted them money and grain: please let’s forsake this extortion. [1]	10 My brothers, and my acquaintances, and I have entrusted them money and grain: please let’s forsake this extortion. [1]

11 Restore, please, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the 100th part of the money, and of the grain, the wine, and the oil, that you exact of them.

11 ἐπιστρέψατε δὴ αὐτοῖς ὡς σήμερον ἀγροὺς αὐτῶν, ἀμπελῶνας αὐτῶν, ἐλαίας αὐτῶν καὶ οἰκίας αὐτῶν· καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀργυρίου τὸν σῖτον καὶ τὸν οἶνον καὶ τὸ ἔλαιον ἐξενέγκατε αὐτοῖς.	11 ἐπιστρέψατε δὴ αὐτοῖς ὡς σήμερον ἀγροὺς αὐτῶν καὶ ἀμπελῶνας αὐτῶν καὶ ἐλαιῶνας αὐτῶν καὶ οἰκίας αὐτῶν· καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀργυρίου τὸν σῖτον καὶ τὸν οἶνον καὶ τὸ ἔλαιον ἐξενέγκατε αὐτοῖς.
11 As of this day, please return to them their fields, and their vineyards, and their olive orchards, and their houses; and from the money, bring out to them the grain and the wine and the olive oil.”	11 As of this day, please return to them their fields, and their vineyards, and their olive orchards, and their houses; and from the money, bring out to them the grain and the wine and the olive oil.”

12 Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as you say. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.

12 καὶ εἶπαν Ἀποδώσομεν καὶ παρ’ αὐτῶν οὐ ζητήσομεν· οὕτως ποιήσομεν, καθὼς σὺ λέγεις. καὶ ἐκάλεσα τοὺς ἱερεῖς καὶ ὥρκισα αὐτοὺς ποιῆσαι ὡς τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο.	12 καὶ εἶπαν· ἀποδώσομεν, καὶ παρ’ αὐτῶν οὐ ζητήσομεν, οὕτως ποιήσομεν καθὼς σὺ λέγεις· καὶ ἐκάλεσα τοὺς ἱερεῖς καὶ ὥρκισα αὐτοὺς ποιῆσαι ὡς τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο.
12 And they said, “We will return, and we won’t seek them from them. Thus we will do as you are saying.” Then I called the priests, and made them swear to do as this word.	12 And they said, “We will return, and we won’t seek them from them. Thus we will do as you are saying.” Then I called the priests, and made them swear to do as this word.

13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performs not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised Yahweh. And the people did according to this promise.

13 καὶ τὴν ἀναβολήν μου ἐξετίναξα καὶ εἶπα Οὕτως ἐκτινάξαι ὁ θεὸς πάντα ἄνδρα, ὃς οὐ στήσει τὸν λόγον τοῦτον, ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐκ κόπου αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔσται οὕτως ἐκτετιναγμένος καὶ κενός. καὶ εἶπεν πᾶσα ἡ ἐκκλησία Ἀμήν, καὶ ᾔνεσαν τὸν κύριον· καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ λαὸς τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο.	13 καὶ τὴν ἀναβολήν μου ἐξετίναξα καὶ εἶπα· οὕτως ἐκτινάξαι ὁ Θεὸς πάντα ἄνδρα, ὃς οὐ στήσει τὸν λόγον τοῦτον, ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐκ κόπου αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔσται οὕτως ἐκτετιναγμένος καὶ κενός. καὶ εἶπε πᾶσα ἡ ἐκκλησία· ἀμήν, καὶ ᾔνεσαν τὸν Κύριον. καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ λαὸς τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο.
13 And I shook out my garment fold, and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his work who doesn’t stand by this word, and thus he will be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said, “Amen.” And they praised the Lord. The people did this thing.	13 And I shook out my garment fold, and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his work who doesn’t stand by this word, and thus he will be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said, “Amen.” And they praised the Lord. The people did this thing.

14 Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the 20th year even to the 32nd year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brothers haven’t eaten the bread of the governor.

14 Ἀπὸ τῆς ἡμέρας ἧς ἐνετείλατό μοι εἶναι εἰς ἄρχοντα αὐτῶν ἐν γῇ Ἰούδα, ἀπὸ ἔτους εἰκοστοῦ καὶ ἕως ἔτους τριακοστοῦ καὶ δευτέρου τῷ Ἀρθασασθά, ἔτη δώδεκα, ἐγὼ καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί μου βίαν αὐτῶν οὐκ ἔφαγον·	14 Ἀπὸ τῆς ἡμέρας, ἧς ἐνετείλατό μοι εἶναι εἰς ἄρχοντα αὐτῶν ἐν γῇ Ἰούδα, ἀπὸ ἔτους εἰκοστοῦ καὶ ἕως ἔτους τριακοστοῦ καὶ δευτέρου τῷ Ἀρθασασθὰ ἔτη δώδεκα, ἐγὼ καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί μου βίαν αὐτῶν οὐκ ἔφαγον.
14 From the day that he commanded me to be their ruler in the land of Jouda, from the 20th year even to the 32nd year of Arthasastha, twelve years, I and my brothers didn’t eat by demanding it from them.	14 From the day that he commanded me to be their ruler in the land of Jouda, from the 20th year even to the 32nd year of Arthasastha, twelve years, I and my brothers didn’t eat by demanding it from them.

15 But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable to the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside 40 shekels of silver; yes, even their servants exercised rule over the people; but I didn’t do so, because of the fear of God.

15 καὶ τὰς βίας τὰς πρώτας ἃς πρὸ ἐμοῦ ἐβάρυναν ἐπ’ αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐλάβοσαν παρ’ αὐτῶν ἐν ἄρτοις καὶ ἐν οἴνῳ ἔσχατον ἀργύριον, δίδραχμα τεσσαράκοντα, καὶ οἱ ἐκτετιναγμένοι αὐτῶν ἐξουσιάζονται ἐπὶ τὸν λαόν, καὶ ἐγὼ οὐκ ἐποίησα οὕτως ἀπὸ προσώπου φόβου θεοῦ.	15 καὶ τὰς βίας τὰς πρώτας, ἃς πρὸ ἐμοῦ ἐβάρυναν ἐπ’ αὐτούς, καὶ ἐλάβοσαν παρ’ αὐτῶν ἐν ἄρτοις καὶ ἐν οἴνῳ ἔσχατον ἀργύριον, δίδραχμα τεσσαράκοντα, καὶ οἱ ἐκτετιναγμένοι αὐτῶν ἐξουσιάζονται ἐπὶ τὸν λαόν· κἀγὼ οὐκ ἐποίησα οὕτως ἀπὸ προσώπου φόβου Θεοῦ.
15 And as for the first demands by which those before me burdened them, they took from them their last money plus bread and wine – 40 double-drachmas! And their outcasts exercised authority over the people. But I did not do so, from fear of the presence of God.	15 And as for the first demands by which those before me burdened them, they took from them their last money plus bread and wine – 40 double-drachmas! And their outcasts exercised authority over the people. But I did not do so, from fear of the presence of God.

16 Yes, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land; and all my servants were gathered to that place to the work.

16 καὶ ἐν ἔργῳ τοῦ τείχους τούτων οὐκ ἐκράτησα, ἀγρὸν οὐκ ἐκτησάμην· καὶ πάντες οἱ συνηγμένοι ἐκεῖ ἐπὶ τὸ ἔργον.	16 καὶ ἐν ἔργῳ τοῦ τείχους τούτων οὐκ ἐκράτησα, ἀγρὸν οὐκ ἐκτησάμην, καὶ πάντες οἱ συνηγμένοι ἐκεῖ ἐπὶ τὸ ἔργον.
16 And on the work of the wall, I didn’t take control over them; I didn’t buy land; and all who gathered were there for the work.	16 And on the work of the wall, I didn’t take control over them; I didn’t buy land; and all who gathered were there for the work.

17 Moreover there were at my table 150 of the Jews and rulers, beside those who came to us from among the heathen who are about us.

17 καὶ οἱ ἰουδαῖοι, ἑκατὸν καὶ πεντήκοντα ἄνδρες, καὶ οἱ ἐρχόμενοι πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τῶν ἐθνῶν τῶν κύκλῳ ἡμῶν ἐπὶ τράπεζάν μου.	17 καὶ οἱ ἰουδαῖοι, ἑκατὸν καὶ πεντήκοντα ἄνδρες, καὶ ἐρχόμενοι πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τῶν ἐθνῶν τῶν κύκλῳ ἡμῶν ἐπὶ τράπεζάν μου.
17 And 150 Joudeans men and those who came to us from the nations around us were at my table.	17 And 150 Joudeans men and those who came to us from the nations around us were at my table.

18 Now what 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 didn’t require I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy on this people.

18 καὶ ἦν γινόμενον εἰς ἡμέραν μίαν μόσχος εἷς καὶ πρόβατα ἓξ ἐκλεκτὰ καὶ χίμαρος ἐγίνοντό μοι καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον δέκα ἡμερῶν ἐν πᾶσιν οἶνος τῷ πλήθει· καὶ σὺν τούτοις ἄρτους τῆς βίας οὐκ ἐζήτησα, ὅτι βαρεῖα ἡ δουλεία ἐπὶ τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον.	18 καὶ ἦν γινόμενον εἰς ἡμέραν μίαν μόσχος εἷς καὶ πρόβατα ἓξ ἐκλεκτὰ καὶ χίμαρος ἐγίνοντό μοι καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον δέκα ἡμερῶν ἐν πᾶσιν οἶνος τῷ πλήθει· καὶ σὺν τούτοις ἄρτους τῆς βίας οὐκ ἐζήτησα, ὅτι βαρεῖα ἡ δουλεία ἐπὶ τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον.
18 And what came to be for me in one day was one bull calf, and six choice sheep and a goat; and every ten days the abundant wine with everything. And I didn’t seek the bread with them by violence because the service was heavy on this people.	18 And what came to be for me in one day was one bull calf, and six choice sheep and a goat; and every ten days the abundant wine with everything. And I didn’t seek the bread with them by violence because the service was heavy on this people.

19 Think on me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.

19 μνήσθητί μου, ὁ θεός, εἰς ἀγαθὸν πάντα, ὅσα ἐποίησα τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ.	19 μνήσθητί μου, ὁ Θεός, εἰς ἀγαθὸν πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησα τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ.
19 Remember me, Oh God, for good, all that I have done for this people.	19 Remember me, Oh God, for good, all that I have done for this people.