## Then they said ## Here "they" refers to the Jewish nobles. ## We will return what we took from them ## The nobles are saying they will return the money which the poorer Jews paid in interest charges. ## We will do as you say ## "We" refers to the nobles who are speaking to Nehemiah. ## Then I called ## "I" refers to Nehemiah. ## and made them swear ## "and made the Jewish nobles take an oath" ## I shook out the fold of my robe ## Many times in the Old Testament, oaths were physically demonstrated as a witness to what was promised. Nehemiah is demonstrating to the nobles what will happen if they break the promise they had made. ## and they praised Yahweh ## AT: "and they worshipped Yahweh" ## And the people did as they had promised ## AT: "and all the person kept their promises."