Nehemiah 5:14-19

I was appointed governor in the land of Judah in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ rule. I was governor of Judah for twelve years, until his thirty-second year. During that time neither my brothers nor I ate the food that was allowed for a governor. But the governors before me had placed a heavy load on the people. They took about one pound of silver from each person, along with food and wine. The governors’ helpers before me also controlled the people, but I did not do that, because I feared God. I worked on the wall, as did all my men who were gathered there. We did not buy any fields. Also, I fed one hundred fifty Jewish people and officers at my table, as well as those who came from the nations around us. This is what was prepared every day: one ox, six good sheep, and birds. And every ten days there were all kinds of wine. But I never demanded the food that was due a governor, because the people were already working very hard. Remember to be kind to me, my God, for all the good I have done for these people.