1And there was a great1419 cry6818 of the people5971 and of their wives802 against their brethren251 the Jews3064.
2For there were3426 that said559, We, our sons1121, and our daughters1323, are many7227: therefore we take up3947 corn1715 for them, that we may eat398, and live2421.
3Some also there were3426 that said559, We have mortgaged6148 our lands7704, vineyards3754, and houses1004, that we might buy3947 corn1715, because of the dearth7458.
4There were3426 also that said559, We have borrowed3867 money3701 for the king's4428 tribute4060, and that upon our lands7704 and vineyards3754.
5Yet now our flesh1320 is as the flesh1320 of our brethren251, our children1121 as their children1121: and, lo, we bring into bondage3533 our sons1121 and our daughters1323 to be servants5650, and some of our daughters1323 are3426 brought unto bondage3533 already: neither is it in our power410 3027 to redeem them; for other men312 have our lands7704 and vineyards3754.
6And I was very3966 angry2734 when I heard8085 their cry2201 and these words1697.
7Then I consulted4427 with myself3820, and I rebuked7378 the nobles2715, and the rulers5461, and said559 unto them, Ye exact5378 5383 5375 usury4855, every one376 of his brother251. And I set5414 a great1419 assembly6952 against them.
8And I said559 unto them, We after our ability1767 have redeemed7069 our brethren251 the Jews3064, which were sold4376 unto the heathen1471; and will ye even sell4376 your brethren251? or shall they be sold4376 unto us? Then held they their peace2790, and found4672 nothing1697 to answer.
9Also I said559, It is not good2896 that1697 ye do6213: ought ye not to walk3212 in the fear3374 of our God430 because of the reproach2781 of the heathen1471 our enemies341?
10I likewise, and my brethren251, and my servants5288, might exact5383 of them money3701 and corn1715: I pray you, let us leave off5800 this usury4855.
11Restore7725, I pray you, to them, even this day3117, their lands7704, their vineyards3754, their oliveyards2132, and their houses1004, also the hundredth3967 part of the money3701, and of the corn1715, the wine8492, and the oil3323, that ye exact5383 of them.
12Then said559 they, We will restore7725 them, and will require1245 nothing of them; so will we do6213 as thou sayest559. Then I called7121 the priests3548, and took an oath7650 of them, that they should do6213 according to this promise1697.
13Also I shook5287 my lap2684, and said559, So God430 shake out5287 every man376 from his house1004, and from his labour3018, that performeth6965 not this promise1697, even thus be he shaken out5287, and emptied7386. And all the congregation6951 said559, Amen543, and praised1984 the LORD3068. And the people5971 did6213 according to this promise1697.
14Moreover from the time3117 that I was appointed6680 to be their governor6346 in the land776 of Judah3063, from the twentieth6242 year8141 even unto the two8147 and thirtieth7970 year8141 of Artaxerxes783 the king4428, that is, twelve8147 6240 years8141, I and my brethren251 have not eaten398 the bread3899 of the governor6346.
15But the former7223 governors6346 that had been before6440 me were chargeable3513 unto the people5971, and had taken3947 of them bread3899 and wine3196, beside310 forty705 shekels8255 of silver3701; yea, even1571 their servants5288 bare rule7980 over the people5971: but so did6213 not I, because6440 of the fear3374 of God430.
16Yea, also I continued2388 in the work4399 of this wall2346, neither bought7069 we any land7704: and all my servants5288 were gathered6908 thither unto the work4399.
17Moreover there were at my table7979 an hundred3967 and fifty2572 376 of the Jews3064 and rulers5461, beside those that came935 unto us from among the heathen1471 that are about us5439.
18Now that which was prepared6213 for me daily3117 was one259 ox7794 and six8337 choice1305 sheep6629; also fowls6833 were prepared6213 for me, and once in ten6235 days3117 store7235 of all sorts of wine3196: yet for all5973 this required1245 not I the bread3899 of the governor6346, because the bondage5656 was heavy3513 upon this people5971.
19Think2142 upon me, my God430, for good2896, according to all that I have done6213 for this people5971.