1 And there was a great1419 cry6818 of the people5971 and of their wives802 against413 their brothers251 the Jews.3064

2 For there were that said,559 We, our sons,1121 and our daughters,1323 are many:7227 therefore we take3947 up corn1715 for them, that we may eat,398 and live.2421

3 Some also there were that said,559 We have mortgaged6148 our lands,7704 vineyards,3754 and houses,1004 that we might buy3947 corn,1715 because of the dearth.7458

4 There were also that said,559 We have borrowed3867 money3701 for the king's4428 tribute,4060 and that on our lands7704 and vineyards.3754

5 Yet now6258 our flesh1320 is as the flesh1320 of our brothers,251 our children1121 as their children:1121 and, see,2009 we bring3533 into bondage3533 our sons1121 and our daughters1323 to be servants,5650 and some of our daughters1323 are brought3533 to bondage3533 already: neither369 is it in our power3027 to redeem them; for other312 men582 have our lands7704 and vineyards.3754

6 And I was very3966 angry2734 when834 I heard8085 their cry2201 and these428 words.1697

7 Then I consulted4427 with myself, and I rebuked7378 the nobles,2715 and the rulers,5461 and said559 to them, You exact5378 usury,5383 every376 one376 of his brother.251 And I set5414 a great1419 assembly6952 against5921 them.

8 And I said559 to them, We after1767 our ability1767 have redeemed7069 our brothers251 the Jews,3064 which were sold4376 to the heathen;1471 and will you even1571 sell4376 your brothers?251 or shall they be sold4376 to us? Then held2790 they their peace,2790 and found4672 nothing3808 to answer.1696

9 Also I said,559 It is not good2896 that you do:6213 ought you not to walk3212 in the fear3374 of our God430 because of the reproach2781 of the heathen1471 our enemies?341

10 I likewise,1571 and my brothers,251 and my servants,5288 might exact5383 of them money3701 and corn:1715 I pray4994 you, let us leave5800 off this2088 usury.5383

11 Restore,7725 I pray4994 you, to them, even this day,3117 their lands,7704 their vineyards,3754 their olive groves,2132 and their houses,1004 also the hundredth3967 part of the money,3701 and of the corn,1715 the wine,8492 and the oil,3323 that you exact5383 of them.

12 Then said559 they, We will restore7725 them, and will require1245 nothing3808 of them; so3651 will we do6213 as you say.559 Then I called7121 the priests,3548 and took an oath7650 of them, that they should do6213 according to this2088 promise.1697

13 Also1571 I shook5287 my lap,2684 and said,559 So3602 God430 shake5287 out every man376 from his house,1004 and from his labor,3018 that performes6965 not this2088 promise,1697 even3602 thus3602 be he shaken5287 out, and emptied.7386 And all3605 the congregation6951 said,559 Amen,543 and praised1984 the LORD.3068 And the people5971 did6213 according to this2088 promise.1697

14 Moreover1571 from the time3117 that I was appointed6680 to be their governor6346 in the land776 of Judah,3063 from the twentieth6242 year8141 even to the two8147 and thirtieth7970 year8141 of Artaxerxes783 the king,4428 that is, twelve8147 6240 years,8141 I and my brothers251 have not eaten398 the bread3899 of the governor.6346

15 But the former7223 governors6346 that had been before6440 me were chargeable3513 to the people,5971 and had taken3947 of them bread3899 and wine,3196 beside310 forty705 shekels8255 of silver;3701 yes,1571 even their servants5288 bore7980 rule7980 over5921 the people:5971 but so3651 did6213 not I, because6440 of the fear3374 of God.430

16 Yes,1571 also1571 I continued2388 in the work4399 of this2063 wall,2346 neither3808 bought7069 we any land:7704 and all3605 my servants5288 were gathered6908 thither8033 to the work.4399

17 Moreover there were at5921 my table7979 an hundred3967 and fifty2572 of the Jews3064 and rulers,5461 beside those that came935 to us from among4480 the heathen1471 that are about us.

18 Now that which834 was prepared6213 for me daily3117 259 was one259 ox7794 and six8337 choice1305 sheep;6629 also fowls6833 were prepared6213 for me, and once996 in ten6235 days3117 store7235 of all3605 sorts of wine:3196 yet for all5973 this2088 required1245 not I the bread3899 of the governor,6346 because3588 the bondage5656 was heavy3513 on this2088 people.5971

19 Think2142 on me, my God,430 for good,2896 according to all3605 that I have done6213 for this2088 people.5971