| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1There was a widespread outcry from the people and their wives against their Jewish countrymen. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2Some were saying, "We, our sons, and our daughters are numerous. Let us get grain so that we can eat and live." |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3Others were saying, "We are mortgaging our fields, vineyards, and homes to get grain during the famine." |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4Still others were saying, "We have borrowed money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5We and our children are just like our countrymen and their children, yet we are subjecting our sons and daughters to slavery. Some of our daughters are already enslaved, but we are powerless because our fields and vineyards belong to others." |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6I became extremely angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7After seriously considering the matter, I accused the nobles and officials, saying to them, "Each of you is charging his countrymen interest." So I called a large assembly against them |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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." They remained silent and could not say a word. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9Then I said, "What you are doing isn't right. Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God and not invite the reproach of our foreign enemies? |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10Even I, as well as my brothers and my servants, have been lending them money and grain. Please, let us stop charging this interest. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11Return their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses to them immediately, along with the percentage of the money, grain, new wine, and fresh oil that you have been assessing them." |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12They responded: "We will return these things and require nothing more from them. We will do as you say." So I summoned the priests and made everyone take an oath to do this. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 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 and have nothing!" The whole assembly said, "Amen," and they praised the LORD. Then the people did as they had promised. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14Furthermore, from the day King Artaxerxes appointed me to be their governor in the land of Judah--from the twentieth year until his thirty-second year, twelve years--I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15The governors who preceded me had heavily burdened the people, taking from them food and wine as well as a pound of silver. Their subordinates also oppressed the people, but because of the fear of God, I didn't do this. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16Instead, I devoted myself to the construction of this wall, and all my subordinates were gathered there for the work. We didn't buy any land. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17There were 150 Jews and officials, as well as guests from the surrounding nations at my table. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18Each day, one ox, six choice sheep, and some fowl were prepared for me. An abundance of all kinds of wine was provided every ten days. But I didn't demand the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on the people was so heavy. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19Remember me favorably, my God, for all that I have done for this people. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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