1 And there was1961 a great1419 cry6818 of the people5971 and of their wives802 against413 their brethren251 the Jews.3064

2 For there were3426 that834 said,559 We,587 our sons,1121 and our daughters,1323 are many:7227 therefore we take up3947 corn1715 for them, that we may eat,398 and live.2421

3 Some also there were3426 that834 said,559 We587 have mortgaged6148 our lands,7704 vineyards,3754 and houses,1004 that we might buy3947 corn,1715 because of the dearth.7458

4 There were3426 also that834 said,559 We have borrowed3867 money3701 for the king's4428 tribute,4060 and that upon our lands7704 and vineyards.3754

5 Yet now6258 our flesh1320 is as the flesh1320 of our brethren,251 our children1121 as their children:1121 and, lo,2009 we587 bring into bondage3533 853 our sons1121 and our daughters1323 to be servants,5650 and some of our daughters4480 1323 are3426 brought unto bondage3533 already: neither369 is it in our power410 3027 to redeem them; for other312 men have our lands7704 and vineyards.3754

6 And I was very3966 angry2734 when834 I heard8085 853 their cry2201 and these428 words.1697

7 Then I consulted4427 with5921 myself,3820 and I rebuked7378 853 the nobles,2715 and the rulers,5461 and said559 unto them, Ye859 exact5378 usury,4855 every one376 of his brother.251 And I set5414 a great1419 assembly6952 against5921 them.

8 And I said559 unto them, We587 after our ability1767 have redeemed7069 853 our brethren251 the Jews,3064 which were sold4376 unto the heathen;1471 and will ye859 even1571 sell4376 853 your brethren?251 or shall they be sold4376 unto us? Then held they their peace,2790 and found4672 nothing3808 1697 to answer.

9 Also I said,559 It is not3808 good2896 1697 that834 ye859 do:6213 ought ye not3808 to walk1980 in the fear3374 of our God430 because of the reproach4480 2781 of the heathen1471 our enemies?341

10 I589 likewise,1571 and my brethren,251 and my servants,5288 might exact5383 of them money3701 and corn:1715 I pray4994 you, let us leave off5800 853 this2088 usury.4855

11 Restore,7725 I pray4994 you, to them, even this day,3117 their lands,7704 their vineyards,3754 their oliveyards,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 that834 ye859 exact5383 of them.

12 Then said559 they, We will restore7725 them, and will require1245 nothing3808 of4480 them; so3651 will we do6213 as834 thou859 sayest.559 Then I called7121 853 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 shake out5287 853 every3605 man376 from his house,4480 1004 and from his labor,4480 3018 that834 performeth6965 not3808 853 this2088 promise,1697 even thus3602 be1961 he shaken out,5287 and emptied.7386 And all3605 the congregation6951 said,559 Amen,543 and praised1984 853 the LORD.3068 And the people5971 did6213 according to this2088 promise.1697

14 Moreover1571 from the time4480 3117 that834 I was appointed6680 to be1961 their governor6346 in the land776 of Judah,3063 from the twentieth6242 year4480 8141 even unto5704 the two8147 and thirtieth7970 year8141 of Artaxerxes783 the king,4428 that is, twelve8147 6240 years,8141 I589 and my brethren251 have not3808 eaten398 the bread3899 of the governor.6346

15 But the former7223 governors6346 that834 had been before6440 me were chargeable3513 unto5921 the people,5971 and had taken3947 of4480 them bread3899 and wine,3196 beside310 forty705 shekels8255 of silver;3701 yea,1571 even their servants5288 bore rule7980 over5921 the people:5971 but so3651 did6213 not3808 I,589 because4480 6440 of the fear3374 of God.430

16 Yea, also1571 I continued2388 in the work4399 of this2063 wall,2346 neither3808 bought7069 we any land:7704 and all3605 my servants5288 were gathered6908 thither8033 unto5921 the work.4399

17 Moreover there were at5921 my table7979 a hundred3967 and fifty2572 376 of the Jews3064 and rulers,5461 beside those that came935 unto413 us from among4480 the heathen1471 that834 are about5439 us.

18 Now that which834 was1961 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 not3808 I the bread3899 of the governor,6346 because3588 the bondage5656 was heavy3513 upon5921 this2088 people.5971

19 Think2142 upon me, my God,430 for good,2896 according to all3605 that834 I have done6213 for5921 this2088 people.5971