Add parallel Print Page Options

Now our bodies are no different than the bodies of our relatives, and our children are like their children. Nevertheless, we’re about to force our sons and daughters into slavery, and some of our daughters are already in bondage. It’s beyond our power to do anything about it, because our fields and vineyards belong to others.”

I became very livid when I heard their complaining and these charges. So after thinking it over carefully, I accused the officials and nobles openly, “Every one of you is charging your fellow countrymen interest!” So I opened a public investigation against them.

Read full chapter

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

Read full chapter