¹⁵ The governors^(A) who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them food and wine as well as a pound^[a] of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but because of the fear of God, I didn’t do this.^(B)

¹⁸ Each^[a] day, one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me. An abundance of all kinds of wine was provided every ten days.^(A) But I didn’t demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy.