The Books

1	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData Then there arose a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.
2	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData For there were that said, We, our sons and our daughters, are many: let us get grain, that we may eat and live.
3	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData Some also there were that said, We are mortgaging our fields, and our vineyards, and our houses: let us get grain, because of the dearth.
4	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute `upon' our fields and our vineyards.
5	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData 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 into bondage `already': neither is it in our power to help it; for other men have our fields and our vineyards.
6	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
7	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I held a great assembly against them.
8	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, that were sold unto the nations; and would ye even sell your brethren, and should they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found never a word.
9	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData Also I said, The thing that ye do is not good: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the nations our enemies?
10	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData And I likewise, my brethren and my servants, do lend them money and grain. I pray you, let us leave off this usury.
11	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their fields, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the grain, the new wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them.
12	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do, even as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise.
13	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData Also I shook out my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that performeth not this promise; even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the assembly said, Amen, and praised Jehovah. And the people did according to this promise.
14	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData 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.
15	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData But the former governors that were before me were chargeable unto the people, and took of them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the fear of God.
16	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData 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.
17	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData Moreover there were at my table, of the Jews and the rulers, a hundred and fifty men, besides those that came unto us from among the nations that were round about us.
18	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData Now that which was prepared for one day 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 I demanded not the bread of the governor, because the bondage was heavy upon this people.
19	fjrigjwwe9r2AmerStd_Bible_EN:TextData Remember unto me, O my God, for good, all that I have done for this people.

footer