2
Some of them were saying, "We have many sons and daughters in our families. To eat and stay alive, we need grain."
3
Others were saying, "We are borrowing money against our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain because there is not much food."
4
And still others were saying, "We are borrowing money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards.
5
We are just like our fellow Jews, and our sons are like their sons. But we have to sell our sons and daughters as slaves. Some of our daughters have already been sold. But there is nothing we can do, because our fields and vineyards already belong to other people."
6
When I heard their complaints about these things, I was very angry.
7
After I thought about it, I accused the important people and the leaders, "You are charging your own brothers too much interest." So I called a large meeting to deal with them.
8
I said to them, "As much as possible, we have bought freedom for our fellow Jews who had been sold to foreigners. Now you are selling your fellow Jews to us!" The leaders were quiet and had nothing to say.
9
Then I said, "What you are doing is not right. Don't you fear God? Don't let our foreign enemies shame us.
10
I, my brothers, and my men are also lending money and grain to the people. But stop charging them so much for this.
11
Give back their fields, vineyards, olive trees, and houses right now. Also give back the extra amount you charged -- the hundredth part of the money, grain, new wine, and oil."
12
They said, "We will give it back and not demand anything more from them. We will do as you say." Then I called for the priests, and I made the important men and leaders take an oath to do what they had said.