15But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels5:15 That is, about 1 pound or about 460 grams of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.
15But the previous governors who were before me 5:15 Lit made heavylaid burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty shekels of silver; even their servants domineered the people. But I did not do so because of my fear of God.
15But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty shekels of silver; even their servants domineered the people. But I did not do so because of the fear of God.
15But the former governors who were [in office] before me put heavy burdens on the people and took food and wine from them in addition to forty shekels of silver [as an excessive monthly salary]; even their servants assumed authority over the people. But I did not do so because of the [reverent] fear of God.
15The governors before me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them bread and wine plus forty shekels of silver.5:15 40 shekels is approximately 1 pound or 453.6 grams of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people. But I did not do this, because of my fear of God.
15But there had been governors before me. They had put a heavy load on the people. They had taken a pound of silver from each of them. They had also taken food and wine from them. Their officials had acted like high and mighty rulers over them. But because of my great respect for God, I didn’t act like that.