1
And there was a greatH1419 cryH6818 of the peopleH5971 and of their wivesH802 againstH413 their brothersH251 the Jews.H3064
2
For there were that said,H559 We, our sons,H1121 and our daughters,H1323 are many:H7227 therefore we takeH3947 up cornH1715 for them, that we may eat,H398 and live.H2421
3
Some also there were that said,H559 We have mortgagedH6148 our lands,H7704 vineyards,H3754 and houses,H1004 that we might buyH3947 corn,H1715 because of the dearth.H7458
4
There were also that said,H559 We have borrowedH3867 moneyH3701 for the king'sH4428 tribute,H4060 and that on our landsH7704 and vineyards.H3754
5
Yet nowH6258 our fleshH1320 is as the fleshH1320 of our brothers,H251 our childrenH1121 as their children:H1121 and, see,H2009 we bringH3533 into bondageH3533 our sonsH1121 and our daughtersH1323 to be servants,H5650 and some of our daughtersH1323 are broughtH3533 to bondageH3533 already: neitherH369 is it in our powerH3027 to redeem them; for otherH312 menH582 have our landsH7704 and vineyards.H3754
6
And I was veryH3966 angryH2734 whenH834 I heardH8085 their cryH2201 and theseH428 words.H1697
7
Then I consultedH4427 with myself, and I rebukedH7378 the nobles,H2715 and the rulers,H5461 and saidH559 to them, You exactH5378 usury,H5383 everyH376 oneH376 of his brother.H251 And I setH5414 a greatH1419 assemblyH6952 againstH5921 them.
8
And I saidH559 to them, We afterH1767 our abilityH1767 have redeemedH7069 our brothersH251 the Jews,H3064 which were soldH4376 to the heathen;H1471 and will you evenH1571 sellH4376 your brothers?H251 or shall they be soldH4376 to us? Then heldH2790 they their peace,H2790 and foundH4672 nothingH3808 to answer.H1696
9
Also I said,H559 It is not goodH2896 that you do:H6213 ought you not to walkH3212 in the fearH3374 of our GodH430 because of the reproachH2781 of the heathenH1471 our enemies?H341
10
I likewise,H1571 and my brothers,H251 and my servants,H5288 might exactH5383 of them moneyH3701 and corn:H1715 I prayH4994 you, let us leaveH5800 off thisH2088 usury.H5383
11
Restore,H7725 I prayH4994 you, to them, even this day,H3117 their lands,H7704 their vineyards,H3754 their olive groves,H2132 and their houses,H1004 also the hundredthH3967 part of the money,H3701 and of the corn,H1715 the wine,H8492 and the oil,H3323 that you exactH5383 of them.
12
Then saidH559 they, We will restoreH7725 them, and will requireH1245 nothingH3808 of them; soH3651 will we doH6213 as you say.H559 Then I calledH7121 the priests,H3548 and took an oathH7650 of them, that they should doH6213 according to thisH2088 promise.H1697
13
AlsoH1571 I shookH5287 my lap,H2684 and said,H559 SoH3602 GodH430 shakeH5287 out every manH376 from his house,H1004 and from his labor,H3018 that performesH6965 not thisH2088 promise,H1697 evenH3602 thusH3602 be he shakenH5287 out, and emptied.H7386 And allH3605 the congregationH6951 said,H559 Amen,H543 and praisedH1984 the LORD.H3068 And the peopleH5971 didH6213 according to thisH2088 promise.H1697
14
MoreoverH1571 from the timeH3117 that I was appointedH6680 to be their governorH6346 in the landH776 of Judah,H3063 from the twentiethH6242 yearH8141 even to the twoH8147 and thirtiethH7970 yearH8141 of ArtaxerxesH783 the king,H4428 that is, twelveH8147 H6240 years,H8141 I and my brothersH251 have not eatenH398 the breadH3899 of the governor.H6346
15
But the formerH7223 governorsH6346 that had been beforeH6440 me were chargeableH3513 to the people,H5971 and had takenH3947 of them breadH3899 and wine,H3196 besideH310 fortyH705 shekelsH8255 of silver;H3701 yes,H1571 even their servantsH5288 boreH7980 ruleH7980 overH5921 the people:H5971 but soH3651 didH6213 not I, becauseH6440 of the fearH3374 of God.H430
16
Yes,H1571 alsoH1571 I continuedH2388 in the workH4399 of thisH2063 wall,H2346 neitherH3808 boughtH7069 we any land:H7704 and allH3605 my servantsH5288 were gatheredH6908 thitherH8033 to the work.H4399
17
Moreover there were atH5921 my tableH7979 an hundredH3967 and fiftyH2572 of the JewsH3064 and rulers,H5461 beside those that cameH935 to us from amongH4480 the heathenH1471 that are about us.
18
Now that whichH834 was preparedH6213 for me dailyH3117 H259 was oneH259 oxH7794 and sixH8337 choiceH1305 sheep;H6629 also fowlsH6833 were preparedH6213 for me, and onceH996 in tenH6235 daysH3117 storeH7235 of allH3605 sorts of wine:H3196 yet for allH5973 thisH2088 requiredH1245 not I the breadH3899 of the governor,H6346 becauseH3588 the bondageH5656 was heavyH3513 on thisH2088 people.H5971
19
ThinkH2142 on me, my God,H430 for good,H2896 according to allH3605 that I have doneH6213 for thisH2088 people.H5971
