⁷ I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, ^(A)“You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them ⁸ and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, ^(B)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. ⁹ So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk ^(C)in the fear of our God ^(D)to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?