1 Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives
against their brothers the Jews. 2 For there were that said, We, our sons
and our daughters, are many: let us get grain, that we may eat and live.
3 Some also there were that said, We are mortgaging our fields, and our
vineyards, and our houses: let us get grain, because of the dearth.
4 There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute
on our fields and our vineyards. 5 Yet now our flesh is as the
flesh of our brothers, our children as their children: and, behold, we bring
into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our
daughters are brought into bondage already: neither is it in our
power to help it; for other men have our fields and our vineyards. 6 I was
very angry when I heard their cry and these words. 7 Then I consulted with
myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them,
You exact usury, everyone of his brother. I held a great assembly
against them. 8 I said to them, We after our ability have redeemed our
brothers the Jews, that were sold to the nations; and would you even
sell your brothers, and should they be sold to us? Then held they their
peace, and found never a word. 9 Also I said, The thing that you do
is not good: ought you not to walk in the fear of our God, because of
the reproach of the nations our enemies? 10 I likewise, my brothers and my
servants, do lend them money and grain. Please let us leave off this usury.
11 Please restore to them, even this day, their fields, their vineyards,
their olive groves, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money,
and of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, that you exact of them.
12 Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them;
so will we do, even as you say. Then I called the priests, and took an oath
of them, that they would do according to this promise. 13 Also I shook out
my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his
labor, that doesn't perform this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and
emptied. All the assembly said, Amen, and praised Yahweh. 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 to
the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve
years, I and my brothers have not eaten the bread of the governor. 15 But
the former governors who were before me were chargeable to the people, and
took of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yes, even their
servants bore rule over the people: but I didn't do so, because of the fear
of God. 16 Yes, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought
we any land: and all my servants were gathered there to the work.
17 Moreover there were at my table, of the Jews and the rulers, one
hundred fifty men, besides those who came to us from among the nations that
were round about us. 18 Now that which was prepared for one day 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 I didn't demand the bread of the
governor, because the bondage was heavy on this people. 19 Remember to me,
my God, for good, all that I have done for this people.
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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