1:3 The response to Nehemiah’s inquiries is reported succinctly; much greater detail would certainly have been given as the men talked with Nehemiah. The heart of their report is given here: the remnant who … are back in the province (not just the city) are in great trouble, that is, in great poverty. The causes for these conditions were at least twofold, deteriorating religious devotion (cf. Hag 1:5–6; Mal 3:6–12) and Persian economic policies. “Artaxerxes I continued Xerxes’ policy of non-taxation