# We accepted the commands

"We promised to obey the command"

# We accepted

The word "we" includes all the Israelites including Nehemiah except for the priest and Levites, and does not include the reader of this book.

# a third of a shekel

"A third" means one part out of three equal parts or "5 grams of silver". 

# for the service of

"to pay for the care of"