Nehemiah 9:35

35 They didn't serve you. They didn't turn from their evil ways. They didn't obey you even when they had a kingdom. You were very good to them. And they enjoyed it. You gave them a rich land. It had plenty of room in it. But they still didn't serve you.

Nehemiah 9:35 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 9:35

For they have not served thee in their kingdom
When in it, whether of Israel or of Judah, and when in the most flourishing circumstances:

and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them;
amidst all the prosperity and affluence of good things they enjoyed, which was an obligation upon them to serve the Lord;

and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them;
the land of Canaan, a land flowing with milk, which lay open for them, their enemies being driven out before them, see ( Nehemiah 9:25 ) ,

neither turned they from their wicked works;
their idolatries more especially.

Nehemiah 9:35 In-Context

33 "In spite of everything that has happened to us, you have been fair. You have been faithful in what you have done. But we did what was wrong.

34 Our kings and leaders didn't follow your law. Our priests and our people before us didn't follow it either. They didn't pay any attention to your commands. They didn't listen to the warnings you gave them.

35 They didn't serve you. They didn't turn from their evil ways. They didn't obey you even when they had a kingdom. You were very good to them. And they enjoyed it. You gave them a rich land. It had plenty of room in it. But they still didn't serve you.

36 "Now look at us. We are slaves today. We're slaves in the land you gave our people long ago. You gave it to them so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces.

37 But we have sinned against you. So its great harvest goes to the kings of Persia. You have placed them over us. They rule over our bodies and cattle just as they please. And we are suffering terribly.