Nehemiah 5:9

Verse

So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies?

American Standard Version (1901)

Also I said, The thing that ye do is not good: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?

Bible in Basic English

And I said, What you are doing is not good: is it not the more necessary for you to go in the fear of our God, because of the shame which the nations may put on us?

Douay-Rheims 1899

And I said to them: The thing you do is not good: why walk you not in the fear of our God, that we be not exposed to the reproaches of the Gentiles our enemies?

Free Bible Version

“What you're doing isn't right,” I told them. “Don't you think you should respect our God so that enemy nations don't criticize us?

Geneva Bible 1599

I said also, That which ye do, is not good. Ought ye not to walke in the feare of our God, for the reproche of the heathen our enemies?

King James (Authorized) Version

Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?

Translation for Translators

Then I said to them, “What you are doing is terrible [EUP]! You certainly ought to [RHQ] obey God and do what is right! If you did that, our enemies who do not revere Yahweh would see that we are doing what is right and would not ridicule us.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Also I said, “What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations that are our enemies?

Noah Webster Bible

Also I said, That is not good which ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?

World English Bible

Also I said, “The thing that you do is not good. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?

Young's Literal Translation

And I say, 'Not good [is] the thing that ye are doing; in the fear of our God do ye not walk, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?

Context

Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed

⁸and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say.⁹So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies?¹⁰I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending the people money and grain. Please, let us stop this usury.

Summary

In Nehemiah 5:9, Nehemiah confronts the nobles and officials for their exploitation of their fellow Jews, highlighting the injustice and oppression happening within the community. He calls them to repentance and to restore what they have taken from their own people, emphasizing the importance of treating others with fairness and compassion. This verse serves as a reminder of the need for integrity and righteousness in all dealings, especially among God's people. Nehemiah's actions demonstrate his commitment to upholding justice and standing against corruption, setting an example for leaders to prioritize the well-being of others over personal gain.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God - If ye wish to accredit that religion ye profess which comes from the God of justice and mercy; should you not, in the sight of the heathen, abstain from injustice and cruelty? Can they credit your profession, when they see such practices? The inconsistent conduct of some professors of religion does much harm in the Church of God.

Nehemiah 5:9

Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies?

American Standard Version (1901)

Also I said, The thing that ye do is not good: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?

Bible in Basic English

And I said, What you are doing is not good: is it not the more necessary for you to go in the fear of our God, because of the shame which the nations may put on us?

Douay-Rheims 1899

And I said to them: The thing you do is not good: why walk you not in the fear of our God, that we be not exposed to the reproaches of the Gentiles our enemies?

Free Bible Version

“What you're doing isn't right,” I told them. “Don't you think you should respect our God so that enemy nations don't criticize us?

Geneva Bible 1599

I said also, That which ye do, is not good. Ought ye not to walke in the feare of our God, for the reproche of the heathen our enemies?

King James (Authorized) Version

Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

Also I said, “What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations that are our enemies?

Noah Webster Bible

Also I said, That is not good which ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?

World English Bible

Also I said, “The thing that you do is not good. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?

Young's Literal Translation

And I say, 'Not good [is] the thing that ye are doing; in the fear of our God do ye not walk, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?

Nehemiah 5:9

Verse

Context

Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Nehemiah 5:9

Nehemiah Defends the Oppressed

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes