5 ¹⁴ Moreover, from the time when I was appointed governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, a period of twelve years, neither I nor my kinsmen drew the governor's allowance of food. 5 ¹⁵ Former governors had laid a heavy burden on the people, exacting from them a daily toll a daily toll: prob. rdg, Heb obscure of bread and wine to the value of forty shekels of silver. Further, the men under them had tyrannized over the people; but, for fear of God, I did not behave like this. 5 ¹⁶ I also put all my energy into the work on this wall, and I acquired no land; and all my men were gathered there for the work. 5 ¹⁷ Also I had as guests at my table a hundred and fifty Jews, including the magistrates, as well as men who came to us from the surrounding nations. 5 ¹⁸ The provision which had to be made each day was an ox and six prime sheep; fowls also were prepared for me, and every ten days skins of wine in abundance. Yet, in spite of all this, I did not draw the governor's allowance, because the people were so heavily burdened. 5 ¹⁹ Remember for my good, O God, all that I have done for this people.