1. Some time later many of the people, both men and women, began to complain against their fellow-Jews.
2. Some said, “We have large families, we need corn to keep us alive.”
3. Others said, “We have had to mortgage our fields and vineyards and houses to get enough corn to keep us from starving.”
4. Still others said, “We had to borrow money to pay the royal tax on our fields and vineyards.
5. We are of the same race as our fellow-Jews. Aren't our children just as good as theirs? But we have to make slaves of our children. Some of our daughters have already been sold as slaves. We are helpless because our fields and vineyards have been taken away from us.”
6. When I heard their complaints, I was angry
7. and decided to act. I denounced the leaders and officials of the people and told them, “You are oppressing your fellow-Jews!”I called a public assembly to deal with the problem
8. and said, “As far as we have been able, we have been buying back our Jewish relatives who had to sell themselves to foreigners. Now you are forcing your own relatives to sell themselves to you, their own people!” The leaders were silent and could find nothing to say.
9. Then I said, “What you are doing is wrong! You ought to obey God and do what's right. Then you would not give our enemies, the Gentiles, any reason to ridicule us.
10. I have let the people borrow money and corn from me, and so have my companions and the people who work for me. Now let's give up all our claims to repayment.
11. Cancel all the debts they owe you — money or corn or wine or olive oil. And give them back their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses at once!”