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1 And there arose a great complaynt of the people and their wyues against their brethre the Iewes. 2 For there were some that saide, Our sonnes and daughters and we are very many: therefore wyll we take corne for them, that we may eate and liue. 3 Some also there were that saide: Let vs set our landes, vineyardes, and houses to pledge, and take vp corne in the dearth. 4 But some there were that saide: We haue borowed money for the kinges tribute, and that vpon our landes & vineyardes. 5 And now our fleshe is as the fleshe of our brethren, and our children as their children: and loe we bring into subiection our sonnes and our daughters as seruauntes, and some of our daughters are subdued vnto bondage alredie, and no strength is there in our handes to redeeme them, and other men haue our landes and vineyardes. 6 And when I heard their complaynt and such wordes, it displeased me sore. 7 And I aduised so in my minde, that I rebuked the counsellers and the rulers, and saide vnto them: Euery one of you layeth great burdens vpon his brother. And I brought a great congregation against them, 8 And saide vnto them: We after our habilitie haue redeemed our brethren the Iewes, which were solde vnto the heathen: And wyll you sell your brethre againe, and shall they be solde vnto vs? Then held they their peace, and coulde finde nothing to aunswere. 9 And Nehemia saide, It is not good that ye do: Ought ye not to walke in the feare of our God, because of the rebuke of the heathen that are our enemies? Nehemiah 5:1-9, Bishops' Bible of 1568. Public domain.
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