2. Some were saying, “We, our sons, and our daughters are numerous. Let us get grain so that we can eat and live.”
3. Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain during the famine.”
4. Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.
5. We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”
6. I became extremely angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints.
7. After seriously considering the matter, I accused the nobles and officials, saying to them, “Each of you is charging his countrymen interest.” So I called a large assembly against them
8. and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish countrymen who were sold to foreigners, but now you sell your own countrymen, and we have to buy them back.” They remained silent and could not say a word.
9. Then I said, “What you are doing isn’t right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God and not invite the reproach of our foreign enemies?
10. Even I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending them money and grain. Please, let us stop charging this interest.
11. Return their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses to them immediately, along with the percentage of the money, grain, new wine, and olive oil that you have been assessing them.”