And there
was a great cry of the people and of their wives
against their brethren the Jews.
02 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.
03 Some also there were that said, We have
mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that
we might buy corn, because of the dearth.
04 There were also that said, We have borrowed
money for the king's tribute, and that upon our
lands and vineyards.
05 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.
06 And I was very angry when I heard their cry
and these words.
07 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.
08 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.
09 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.
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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.
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