Nehemiah 5:14-19

14During the 12 years that I was governor of Judah, from the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign to the thirty-second year of his reign, my brothers and I never ate any food that was paid for by the governor’s food allowance.

15Those who were governors before me had made life difficult for the people by taking from them food and wine plus one pound of silver. Even the governors’ servants took advantage of their power over the people. But I didn’t do that, because I feared God.

16Instead, I put my best effort into the work on this wall, and we bought no land. All my men gathered here for work.

17I fed 150 Jewish leaders and their people who came to us from the surrounding nations.

18Preparing one ox and six choice sheep was necessary every day. Poultry was prepared for me. Once every ten days a supply of wine was ordered. Yet, in spite of all this, I never demanded anything from the governor’s food allowance, because these people were already carrying a heavy load.

19Remember me, my God. Consider everything that I have done for these people.