These words were spoken in the presence of the whole congregation. Had the rulers chosen to justify themselves, they had opportunity to do so. But they offered no excuse. "We will restore them," they declared, "and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest." At this, Nehemiah in the presence of the priests "took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise." "And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the Lord. And the people did according to this promise."

Alt dette sagde han i hele forsamlingens påhør. Hvis forstanderne ville retfærdiggøre sig, havde de anledning til at gøre det; men der var ingen, der sagde noget til deres egen undskyldning. De svarede: "Ja, I vil give det tilbage og ikke afkræve dem noget; som du siger, vil vi gøre!" Nu lod Nehemias forstanderne "sværge på, at de ville handle således" mens præsterne var vidner. "Da sagde hele forsamlingen: "Amen!" Og de lovpriste Herren; og folket handlede efter sit løfte. "