1 Many people and moms cried loud for help. 2 Some people said, “We have many kids. We need grain to eat so we can live.” 3 Some said, “We had to give our fields, vines, and homes to get food. It is a bad time.” 4 Others said, “We had to borrow money to pay the king tax.” 5 They said, “We are like them, but our kids must work as servants now. Some girls are taken. We cannot stop it, because others own our fields.” 6 Nehemiah heard this. He got very mad. 7 Nehemiah thought first. Then he told the rich and rulers, “You take extra money from your own people. Stop!” He called a big meeting. ✋ 8 Nehemiah said, “We paid to free our people from far lands. Now you sell them again?” The rich were quiet. 9 Nehemiah said, “This is not good. You must love God and do right, or other people will laugh at us.” ✅ 10 Nehemiah said, “I and my men gave loans too. We will stop taking extra money. You stop too.” 11 Nehemiah said, “Today give back their fields, vines, trees, homes, and the extra money and food and oil you took.” ️ 12 The rich said, “We will give it back. We will not take more.” Nehemiah called God’s helpers and made them promise. ️ 13 Nehemiah shook his coat and said, “God will shake out anyone who does not keep this promise.” All the people said, “Amen!” They praised God and did it. 14 Nehemiah was the leader for 12 years. He and his men did not take the leader food. ️️ 15 The old leaders took much food and money. Their helpers were bossy. Nehemiah did not do that. He loved God and did right. 16 Nehemiah worked on the wall. He did not buy land. His helpers worked too. ️ 17 Nehemiah fed 150 people and leaders and also many guests from far places. 18 Each day they cooked one cow, six sheep, and birds. Every ten days there was much drink. But Nehemiah did not ask for the leader food, because the people had a hard load. 19 Nehemiah prayed, “God, please remember me for good for all I did for the people.”