Nehemiah 5:16
◄  Nehemiah 5:16  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Instead, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we did not acquire any land.

New Living Translation (©2007)
I also devoted myself to working on the wall and refused to acquire any land. And I required all my servants to spend time working on the wall.

English Standard Version (©2001)
I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
I also applied myself to the work on this wall; we did not buy any land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of the wall, and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn't buy any land.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Also, as I continued to work on the wall, we purchased no land, and all of my young men were employed in the work.

NET Bible (©2006)
I gave myself to the work on this wall, without even purchasing a field. All my associates were gathered there for the work.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Instead, I put my best effort into the work on this wall, and we bought no land. All my men gathered here for work.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered there unto the work.

American King James Version
Yes, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither to the work.

American Standard Version
Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Moreover I built in the work of the wall, and I bought no land, and all my servants were gathered together to the work.

Darby Bible Translation
Yea, also I applied myself to this work of the wall, and we bought no fields; and all my servants were gathered thither for the work.

English Revised Version
Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.

Webster's Bible Translation
Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither to the work.

World English Bible
Yes, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered there to the work.

Young's Literal Translation
And also, in the work of this wall I have done mightily, even a field we have not bought, and all my servants are gathered there for the work;

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

5:14-19 Those who truly fear God, will not dare to do any thing cruel or unjust. Let all who are in public places remember that they are so placed to do good, not to enrich themselves. Nehemiah mentions it to God in prayer, not as if he had merited any favour from God, but to show that he depended upon God only, to make up to him what he had lost and laid out for his honour. Nehemiah evidently spake and acted as one that knew himself to be a sinner. He did not mean to claim a reward as of debt, but in the manner that the Lord rewards a cup of cold water given to a disciple for his sake. The fear and love of God in the heart, and true love of the brethren, will lead to every good work. These are proper evidences of justifying faith; and our reconciled God will look upon persons of this character for good, according to all they have done for his people.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 16. - I continued in the work of this wall. Literally, "I repaired," like the others (Nehemiah 3:4-31). I employed myself not in buying up men's fields at low prices, and so enriching myself, but in the restoring and repairing of the wall, over which I exercised a constant superintendence. All my servants were gathered thither. See Nehemiah 4:16.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall,.... Of building the wall of Jerusalem; here he gave his constant attendance to direct and encourage the workmen, and see that they kept to their work, and did it well:

neither bought we any land; neither he nor the principal men with him, though they could have bought it cheap, but they chose not to take the advantage of the poverty of the people:

and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work: all were employed in it, taking no wages for their work, being maintained at his expense.

Nehemiah 5:16 Parallel Commentaries

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Nehemiah's Generosity
14Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even to the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brothers have not eaten the bread of the governor. 15But the former governors that had been before me were chargeable to the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants bore rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God. 16Yes, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither to the work. …

Nehemiah 5:15 But the earlier governors--those preceding me--placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.
Nehemiah 5:17 Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, as well as those who came to us from the surrounding nations.