Study Desk

For there were those who said, "We, our sons, and our daughters are many; therefore let's ^(C1)get grain so that we may eat and live."

And there were others who said, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses so that we might get grain because of the famine."

There also were those who said, "We have borrowed money ^(C1)for the king's tax on our fields and our vineyards.

"And now ^(C1)our flesh is like the flesh of our brothers, our children like their children. Yet behold, ^(C2)we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters are forced into bondage already, and ^(F1)we are helpless because our fields and vineyards belong to others."

Then I was very ^(C1)angry when I heard their outcry and these words.

So I thought it over and contended with the nobles and the leading people, and said to them, "^(C1)You are lending at interest, each to his brother!" Therefore, I held a great assembly against them.