Then there arose a great{H1419} cry{H6818} of the people{H5971} and of their wives{H802} against their brethren{H251} the Jews.{H3064}

For there were{H3426} that said,{H559} We, our sons{H1121} and our daughters,{H1323} are many:{H7227} let us get{H3947} grain,{H1715} that we may eat{H398} and live.{H2421}

Some also there were{H3426} that said,{H559} We are mortgaging{H6148} our fields,{H7704} and our vineyards,{H3754} and our houses:{H1004} let us get{H3947} grain,{H1715} because of the dearth.{H7458}

There were{H3426} also that said,{H559} We have borrowed{H3867} money{H3701} for the king's{H4428} tribute{H4060} [upon] our fields{H7704} and our vineyards.{H3754}

Yet now our flesh{H1320} is as the flesh{H1320} of our brethren,{H251} our children{H1121} as their children:{H1121} and, lo, we bring into bondage{H3533} our sons{H1121} and our daughters{H1323} to be servants,{H5650} and some of our daughters{H1323} are{H3426} brought into bondage{H3533} [already]: neither is it in our power{H410} to help it; for other men{H312} have our fields{H7704} and our vineyards.{H3754}

And I was very{H3966} angry{H2734} when I heard{H8085} their cry{H2201} and these words.{H1697}

Then I consulted{H4427} with myself,{H3820} and contended{H7378} with the nobles{H2715} and the rulers,{H5461} and said{H559} unto them, Ye exact{H5383} usury,{H4855} every one{H376} of his brother.{H251} And I held{H5414} a great{H1419} assembly{H6952} against them.

And I said{H559} unto them, We after our ability{H1767} have redeemed{H7069} our brethren{H251} the Jews,{H3064} that were sold{H4376} unto the nations;{H1471} and would ye even sell{H4376} your brethren,{H251} and should they be sold{H4376} unto us? Then held they their peace,{H2790} and found{H4672} never{H1697} a word.

Also I said,{H559} The thing that{H1697} ye do{H6213} is not good:{H2896} ought ye not to walk{H3212} in the fear{H3374} of our God,{H430} because of the reproach{H2781} of the nations{H1471} our enemies?{H341}

And I likewise, my brethren{H251} and my servants,{H5288} do lend{H5383} them money{H3701} and grain.{H1715} I pray you, let us leave off{H5800} this usury.{H4855}

Restore,{H7725} I pray you, to them, even this day,{H3117} their fields,{H7704} their vineyards,{H3754} their oliveyards,{H2132} and their houses,{H1004} also the hundredth{H3967} part of the money,{H3701} and of the grain,{H1715} the new wine,{H8492} and the oil,{H3323} that ye exact{H5383} of them.

Then said{H559} they, We will restore{H7725} them, and will require{H1245} nothing of them; so will we do,{H6213} even as thou sayest.{H559} Then I called{H7121} the priests,{H3548} and took an oath{H7650} of them, that they would do{H6213} according to this promise.{H1697}

Also I shook{H5287} out my lap,{H2684} and said,{H559} So God{H430} shake out{H5287} every man{H376} from his house,{H1004} and from his labor,{H3018} that performeth{H6965} not this promise;{H1697} even thus be he shaken out,{H5287} and emptied.{H7386} And all the assembly{H6951} said,{H559} Amen,{H543} and praised{H1984} Jehovah.{H3068} And the people{H5971} did{H6213} according to this promise.{H1697}

Moreover from the time{H3117} that I was appointed{H6680} to be their governor{H6346} in the land{H776} of Judah,{H3063} from the twentieth{H6242} year{H8141} even unto the two{H8147} and thirtieth{H7970} year{H8141} of Artaxerxes{H783} the king,{H4428} [that is], twelve{H8147} years,{H8141} I and my brethren{H251} have not eaten{H398} the bread{H3899} of the governor.{H6346}

But the former{H7223} governors{H6346} that were before{H6440} me were chargeable{H3513} unto the people,{H5971} and took{H3947} of them bread{H3899} and wine,{H3196} besides{H310} forty{H705} shekels{H8255} of silver;{H3701} yea, even{H1571} their servants{H5288} bare rule{H7980} over the people:{H5971} but so did{H6213} not I, because{H6440} of the fear{H3374} of God.{H430}

Yea, also I continued{H2388} in the work{H4399} of this wall,{H2346} neither bought{H7069} we any land:{H7704} and all my servants{H5288} were gathered{H6908} thither unto the work.{H4399}

Moreover there were at my table,{H7979} of the Jews{H3064} and the rulers,{H5461} a hundred{H3967} and fifty{H2572} men, besides those that came{H935} unto us from among the nations{H1471} that were round about us.{H5439}

Now that which was prepared{H6213} for one day{H3117} was one{H259} ox{H7794} and six{H8337} choice{H1305} sheep;{H6629} also fowls{H6833} were prepared{H6213} for me, and once in ten{H6235} days{H3117} store{H7235} of all sorts of wine:{H3196} yet for all{H5973} this I demanded{H1245} not the bread{H3899} of the governor,{H6346} because the bondage{H5656} was heavy{H3513} upon this people.{H5971}

Remember{H2142} unto me, O my God,{H430} for good,{H2896} all that I have done{H6213} for this people.{H5971}