I was very angry when I heard (A)their outcry and these words. I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, (B)“You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, (C)have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say.

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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!”(A) So I called together a large meeting to deal with them and said: “As far as possible, we have bought(B) back our fellow Jews who were sold to the Gentiles. Now you are selling your own people, only for them to be sold back to us!” They kept quiet, because they could find nothing to say.(C)

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And I became very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. After serious thought, I rebuked the nobles and rulers, and said to them, (A)“Each of you is [a]exacting usury from his brother.” So I [b]called a great assembly against them. And I said to them, “According to our ability we have (B)redeemed our Jewish brethren who were sold to the nations. Now indeed, will you even sell your brethren? Or should they be sold to us?”

Then they were silenced and found nothing to say.

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Footnotes

  1. Nehemiah 5:7 charging interest
  2. Nehemiah 5:7 Lit. held