Nehemiah 5:1-7

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.