Nehemiah contrasts his own example with that of the rich Jews. He had spent money redeeming some countrymen from servitude among pagans; they were …

Will ye even sell your brethren? —The appeal is a strong one. Nehemiah and his friends had redeemed Jews from the heathen…

And I said unto them
The nobles, and rulers, and other rich persons that exacted usury of the poor:

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Nehemiah knew that if he built Jerusalem's walls ever so high, so thick, or so strong, the city could not be safe while there were abuses. The righ…