Nehemiah 5:6

¶ And I was very angry, when I heard their crie, and these words.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

Then I was very angry when I had heard their outcry and these words.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
- American Standard Version (1901)

And on hearing their outcry and what they said I was very angry.
- Basic English Bible

And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
- Darby Bible

And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
- Webster's Bible

I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
- World English Bible

And it is very displeasing to me when I have heard their cry and these words,
- Youngs Literal Bible

And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Wesley's Notes for Nehemiah 5:6

5:5 Our flesh - We are of the same nature, and religion with them, though they treat us as if we were beasts or Heathens. Bondage - We are compelled to sell them for our subsistence. Daughters - Which was an evidence of their great necessity, because their daughters were more tender, and weak, and unfit for bond - service, and more exposed to injuries than their sons. Redeem - Which we are allowed to do, #Exod 21:7 |- 11, but have not wherewith to do it.

5:7 Exact - Which was against the plain and positive law of God, #Deut 23:19|,20, especially in this time of publick calamity. I set - I called a publick congregation, both of the rulers and people, the greatest part whereof were free from this guilt, and therefore more impartial judges of the matter, and represented it to them, that the offenders might be convinced, and reformed; if not for fear of God, or love of their brethren, yet at least for the publick shame and the cries of the poor. Ezra, and Nehemiah were both good and useful men; but of how different tempers? Ezra was a man of a mild tender spirit, and when told of the sin of the rulers, rent his clothes and wept: Nehemiah forced them to reform, being of a warm and eager spirit. So God's work may be done, and yet different methods taken in doing it; which is a good reason why we should not arraign the management of others, nor make our own standard.

5:8 We - I, and my brethren, and predecessors, have used our utmost interest and power, both with the kings of Persia, that our brethren might be redeemed from bondage, and with particular persons in Babylon, and Persia, whose bond - slaves the Jews were, and who would not part with them without a price. Be sold - Do you expect that we should pay you a price for them, as we did to the Babylonians?. Or, must we use as much importunity to solicit you for their redemption, as we did to their enemies?