1
And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
2
For there were those who said, "We, our sons and our daughters are many; therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat and live."
3
There were some also who said, "We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn because of the dearth."
4
There were also those who 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 from his brother." And I set a great assembly against them.