1There was a widespread outcry from the people and their wives against their Jewish countrymen.

2Some were saying, “We, our sons, and our daughters are numerous. Let us get grain so that we can eat and live.”

3Others were saying, “We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain during the famine.” Hg 1:5-11

4Still others were saying, “We have borrowed money to pay the king’s tax Ezr 4:13; 7:24 on our fields and vineyards. Dt 15:7-8

5We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Lv 25:39-43 Some of our daughters are already enslaved, Ex 21:7-11 but we are powerless Lit but there is not the power in our hand because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”

6I became extremely angry Ex 11:8; Eph 4:26-27 when I heard their outcry and these complaints.

7After seriously considering the matter, I accused the nobles and officials, saying to them, “Each of you is charging his countrymen interest.” Ex 22:25; Dt 23:19-20 So I called a large assembly against them

8and 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.” Ex 21:8; Lv 25:39-42 They remained silent and could not say a word. Jr 8:9

9Then I said, “What you are doing isn’t right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God Lv 25:36 and not invite the reproach of our foreign enemies? 2Sm 12:14; Neh 4:4

10Even I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending them money and grain. Please, let us stop charging this interest. Or us forgive these debts

11Return their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses to them immediately, along with the percentage Lit hundredth of the money, grain, new wine, and olive oil Neh 10:37 that you have been assessing them.”

12They responded: “We will return these things and require nothing more from them. Neh 10:31 We will do as you say.”

13I also shook the folds of my robe and said, “May God likewise shake from his house and property everyone who doesn’t keep this promise. May he be shaken out Ac 18:6 and have nothing! ”

14Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes Ezr 4:7; 7:1 appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah — from the twentieth year until his thirty-second year, 12 years Neh 13:6 — I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor.

15The governors Ezr 5:3,14; Hg 1:1 who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking food and wine from them, as well as a pound Lit 40 shekels of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but I didn’t do this, because of the fear of God. Lv 25:36

16Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of the wall, Neh 4:1; 6:1; 2Th 3:7-10 and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn’t buy any land. Neh 5:3,7,11

17There were 150 Jews and officials, as well as guests from the surrounding nations at my table. 1Kg 4:27; 18:19

18Each Lit And that which was prepared each day, one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me. An abundance of all kinds of wine was provided every 10 days. 1Kg 4:22-23 But I didn’t demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy.

19Remember me favorably, my God, for all that I have done for this people. Neh 13:14,22,31