1
Now there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish kin.
2
For there were those who said, "With our sons and our daughters, we are many; we must get grain, so that we may eat and stay alive."
3
There were also those who said, "We are having to pledge our fields, our vineyards, and our houses in order to get grain during the famine."
4
And there were those who said, "We are having to borrow money on our fields and vineyards to pay the king's tax.
5
Now our flesh is the same as that of our kindred; our children are the same as their children; and yet we are forcing our sons and daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have been ravished; we are powerless, and our fields and vineyards now belong to others."
6
I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints.
7
After thinking it over, I brought charges against the nobles and the officials; I said to them, "You are all taking interest from your own people." And I called a great assembly to deal with them,
8
and said to them, "As far as we were able, we have bought back our Jewish kindred who had been sold to other nations; but now you are selling your own kin, who must then be bought back by us!" They were silent, and could not find a word to say.
9
So I said, "The thing that you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God, to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?
10
Moreover I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us stop this taking of interest.