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!”