"And likewiseI, my brothersand my servantsare lendingthem moneyand grain.Please,let us leaveoff thisusury.
We also placedourselves underobligationto contributeyearlyone thirdof a shekelfor the serviceof the houseof our God:
"Please,givebackto them this very daytheir fields,their vineyards,their olivegrovesand their houses,also the hundredth[part] of the moneyand of the grain,the newwineand the oilthat you are exactingfrom them."
I consultedwith myself and contendedwith the noblesand the rulersand saidto them, "You are exactingusury,eachfrom his brother!"Therefore, I helda greatassemblyagainstthem.
Again I said,"The thingwhichyou are doingis not good;should you not walkin the fearof our Godbecauseof the reproachof the nations,our enemies?
He does not putout his moneyat interest,Nordoes he takea bribeagainstthe innocent.He who doesthesethingswill neverbe shaken.
"Is thisnot the fastwhich I choose,To loosenthe bondsof wickedness,To undothe bandsof the yoke,And to letthe oppressedgofreeAnd breakeveryyoke?
he lends[money] on interestand takesincrease;will he live?He will not live!He has committedalltheseabominations,he will surelybe putto death;his bloodwill be on his own head.
if a mandoes not oppressanyone, but restoresto the debtorhis pledge,does not commitrobbery,[but] giveshis breadto the hungryand coversthe nakedwith clothing,
if he does not lend[money] on interestor takeincrease,[if] he keepshis handfrom iniquity[and] executestrue~justicebetweenmanand man,
Woeto those who schemeiniquity,Who workout evilon their beds!When morningcomes, they doit, For it is in the powerof their hands.
Therefore,knowingthe fearof the Lord,we persuademen,but we are mademanifestto God;and I hopethat we are made manifestalsoin your consciences.
Therefore,we are ambassadorsfor Christ,as thoughGodwere making an appealthroughus; we begyou on behalfof Christ,be reconciledto God.
And working together[with Him], we alsourgeyou not to receivethe graceof Godin vain--
"Thisis the mannerof remission:everycreditorshall releasewhathe has loanedto his neighbor;he shall not exactit of his neighborand his brother,becausethe LORD'Sremissionhas been proclaimed.
