1And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Y’hudim (Judeans). 2For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, [are] many: therefore we take up corn [for them], that we may eat, and live. 3[Some] also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the famine. 4There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, [and that upon] our lands and vineyards. 5Yet now our flesh [is] as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and [some] of our daughters are brought unto bondage [already]: neither [is it] in our power [to redeem them]; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

6And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words. 7Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, You^2f exact usury (interest paid for using money), every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. 8And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Y’hudim (Judeans), which were sold unto the heathen; and will you^2f even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing [to answer]. 9Also I said, It [is] not good that you^2f do: ought you^2f not to walk in the fear of our God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] because of the reproach (disgrace; shame) of the heathen our enemies? 10I likewise, [and] my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury (interest paid for using money). 11Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth [part] of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that you^2f exact of them. 12Then said they, We will restore [them], and will require nothing of them; so will we do as youⁱ say. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise. 13Also I shook my lap, and said, So God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performs not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD-Yehovah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate). And the people did according to this promise.

14Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Y’hudah [Let Him (God) Be Praised], from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artach’shashta [I will make the spoiled to boil: I will stir myself (in) winter] the king, [that is], twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor. 15But the former governors that [had been] before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yes, even their servants bore rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered]. 16Yes, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants [were] gathered there unto the work. 17Moreover [there were] at my table an hundred and fifty of the Y’hudim (Judeans) and rulers, beside those that came unto us from among the heathen that [are] about us. 18Now [that] which was prepared [for me] daily [was] one ox [and] six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine: yet for all this required not I the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people. 19Think upon me, my God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], for good, [according] to all that I have done for this people.