4. Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tribute against the value of our fields and vineyards.
5. Now our flesh is the same as the flesh of our countrymen. Our children are like their children, but we are subjugating our sons and our daughters as servants. Indeed, some of our daughters are in bondage already, and we are powerless to do anything because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”
6. I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words.
7. So I contemplated about this for myself and, as a result, I rebuked the nobles and officials and said to them, “Based on the claim of each against his brother, you are exacting usury.” Then I convened a great assembly against them,
8. and I said to them, “By whatever means we had, we purchased our Jewish countrymen who were being sold to the nations. So, will you once more sell your countrymen so that they might again be sold to us?” Then they kept silent, because they found nothing to answer.
9. Also I said, “What you are doing is not good! Should not you walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?