unfoldingWord_en_tn/neh/05/12.md

# Then they said

Here "they" refers to the Jewish leaders.

# We will return what we took from them

The Jewish leaders are saying they will return the money which the poorer Jews paid in interest charges.

# made them swear

Here the word "them" refers to the Jewish leaders.

# Then I called

"I" refers to Nehemiah.

# I shook out the fold of my robe

"I shook out the pockets 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 Jewish leaders what will happen if they break the promise they had made. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

# So may God shake out of his house ... So may he be shaken out and emptied

Here Nehemiah speaks of God taking away all of a man's possessions as if God were shaking him out of his home and possessions like Nehemiah shook out his robe. AT: "So may God take away from every man who does not keep his promise all of his possessions and his home like I have taken everything out of the fold of my robe" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])