And there was a great
cry
of the people
and of their wives
against their brethren
the Jews.
For 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.
Some also there were
that said,
We have mortgaged
our lands,
vineyards,
and houses,
that we might buy
corn,
because of the dearth.
There were
also that said,
We have borrowed
money
for the king's
tribute,
and that upon our lands
and vineyards.
Yet 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.
And I was very
angry
when I heard
their cry
and these words.
Then I consulted
with myself,
and I rebuked
the nobles,
and the rulers,
and said
unto them, Ye exact
usury,
every one
of his brother.
And I set
a great
assembly
against them.
say
And I said
unto them, We after our ability
have redeemed
our brethren
the Jews,
which were sold
unto the heathen;
and will ye even sell
your brethren?
or shall they be sold
unto us? Then held they their peace,
and found
nothing
to answer.
say
Also I said,
It is not good
that
ye do:
ought ye not to walk
in the fear
of our God
because of the reproach
of the heathen
our enemies?
I likewise, and my brethren,
and my servants,
might exact
of them money
and corn:
I pray you, let us leave off
this usury.
Restore,
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 ye exact
of them.
Then said
they, We will restore
them, and will require
nothing of them; so will we do
as thou sayest.
Then I called
the priests,
and took an oath
of them, that they should do
according to this promise.
say
Also I shook
my lap,
and said,
So God
shake out
every man
from his house,
and from his labour,
that performeth
not this promise,
even thus be he shaken out,
and emptied.
And all the congregation
said,
Amen,
and praised
the LORD.
And the people
did
according to this promise.
say
say
Moreover from the time
that I was appointed
to be their governor
in the land
of Judah,
from the twentieth
year
even unto the two
and thirtieth
year
of Artaxerxes
the king,
that is, twelve
years,
I and my brethren
have not eaten
the bread
of the governor.
twentieth
εἰκοστοῦ
eikostou
thirtieth
τριακοστοῦ
triakostou
Arthasastha
Αρθασασθα
arthasastha
But 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;
yea, even
their servants
bare rule
over the people:
but so did
not I, because
of the fear
of God.
Yea, also I continued
in the work
of this wall,
neither bought
we any land:
and all my servants
were gathered
thither unto the work.
Moreover there were at my table
an hundred
and fifty
of the Jews
and rulers,
beside those that came
unto us from among the heathen
that are about us.
Now 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.
he-goat
χίμαρος
chimaros
Think
upon me, my God,
for good,
according to all that I have done
for this people.
