Leeser(i)
1 And there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
2 And there were some that said, Our sons, and our daughters, and ourselves are many; and we must buy corn, that we may eat, and live.
3 And others there were that said, We must pledge our fields, our vineyards, and our houses, that we may buy corn, in the famine.
4 And others there were that said, We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards.
5 Yet now our flesh is like the flesh of our brethren, our children are like their children: and, lo, we must force our sons and our daughters to become servants, and some of our daughters are forced to become so, and our hand is powerless; and our fields and our vineyards belong to others.
6 And it displeased me greatly when I heard their complaint and these words.
7 Then did I consult with my heart, and I upbraided the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, “Ye exact usury, every one of his brother!” And I brought together a great assembly against them.
8 And I said unto them, We have indeed ransomed our brethren the Jews, who had been sold unto the various nations, as far as our means went: and will ye yourselves even sell your brethren, so that they will be sold again unto us? And they remained silent, and found no answer.
9 Then said I, The thing is not good which ye are doing: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the taunting of the nations, our enemies?
10 And also I, my brothers, and my young men, have lent them money and corn: I pray you, let us relinquish this loan.
11 Give back to them, I pray you, even this day, their fields, 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 have lent them.