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Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children are as their children; yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved; but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.”

I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them,

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Although we are of the same flesh and blood(A) as our fellow Jews and though our children are as good as theirs, yet we have to subject our sons and daughters to slavery.(B) Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but we are powerless, because our fields and our vineyards belong to others.”(C)

When I heard their outcry and these charges, I was very angry. I pondered them in my mind and then accused the nobles and officials. I told them, “You are charging your own people interest!”(D) So I called together a large meeting to deal with them

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