⁷ I consulted within my own heart and contended with the nobles and the officials and said to them, “^(A)You are exacting usury, each from his brother!” Therefore, I held a great assembly against them.

¹⁵ But the former governors who were before me ^[a]laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them bread and wine besides forty ^[b]shekels of silver; even their young men exerted their power over the people. But I did not do so ^(A)because of the fear of God.