1. And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives
against their brethren the Jews.
2. For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters,
are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may
eat, and live.
3. Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands,
vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of
the dearth.
4. There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the
king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
5. Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our
children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage
our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our
daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in
our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and
vineyards.
6. And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
7. Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and
the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of
his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
8. And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our
brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and
will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto
us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
9. Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk
in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the
heathen our enemies?
10. I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of
them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this
usury.
11. Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands,
their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also
the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine,
and the oil, that ye exact of them.
12. Then said they, We will restore them, and will require
nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called
the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do
according to this promise.
13. Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man
from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not
this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And
all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And
the people did according to this promise.
14. Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their
governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even
unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that
is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread
of the governor.
15. But the former governors that had been before me were
chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and
wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their
servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I,
because of the fear of God.
16. Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither
bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered
thither unto the work.
17. Moreover there were at my table an hundred and fifty of the
Jews and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among
the heathen that are about us.
18. Now that which was prepared for me daily was one ox and six
choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in
ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this
required not I the bread of the governor, because the
bondage was heavy upon this people.
19. Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I
have done for this people.
