15. But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.
16. Indeed, I also continued the work on this wall, and we did not buy any land. All my servants were gathered there for the work.
17. And at my table were one hundred and fifty Jews and rulers, besides those who came to us from the nations around us.
18. Now that which was prepared daily was one ox and six choice sheep. Also fowl were prepared for me, and once every ten days an abundance of all kinds of wine. Yet in spite of this I did not demand the governor’s provisions, because the bondage was heavy on this people.
19. Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.