1 There was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews. 2 Some said, “We, our sons, and our daughters are many. We need to get grain so that we may eat and live.” 3 Others said, “We are pledging our fields, vineyards, and houses to get grain because of the famine.” 4 Still others said, “We have borrowed money for the king's tax against our fields and vineyards. 5 Our flesh is like the flesh of our brothers, and our children are like their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and daughters into slavery, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved. We have no power to help it, for our fields and vineyards belong to others.” 6 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. 7 After considering it in my heart, I rebuked the nobles and the deputies. I said to them, “Each of you is charging his own brother interest!” I called a great assembly against them 8 and said to them, “As far as we were able, we have bought back our fellow Jews who were sold to the nations. And now you are selling your own brothers, so that they will be sold back to us?” They were silent and found nothing to say.

9 Then I said, “What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of the nations, our enemies? 10 I, my brothers, and my servants are also lending them money and grain. Let us stop this charging of interest. 11 Restore to them this very day their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses, and the one percent of the money, grain, new wine, and oil that you are charging them.” 12 They said, “We will restore it and demand nothing from them. We will do as you say.” Then I called the priests and made the nobles and deputies swear to do according to this word. 13 I also shook out the folds of my garment and said, “May God shake out every man who does not keep this word from his house and from the fruit of his labor. May he be shaken out and emptied like this!” The whole assembly said, “Amen,” and praised the LORD. The people did according to this word. 14 From the day I was appointed their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes—twelve years—neither I nor my brothers ate from the governor's food allowance. 15 The former governors who preceded me had burdened the people, taking bread and wine from them besides about a pound of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people, but I did not do so because of the fear of God. 16 I also devoted myself to the work on this wall. We bought no fields, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 17 At my table were 150 Jews and deputies, along with those who came to us from the nations around us. 18 One ox and six choice sheep were prepared each day, and birds were also prepared for me. Every ten days there was an abundance of all kinds of wine. Even with all this, I did not demand the governor's food allowance, because the burden of service was heavy on this people. 19 Remember me for good, my God, for all that I have done for this people.