⁷ Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.

⁸ And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.

⁹ Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?

³ They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a pledge.

⁴ They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.

⁵ Behold, as wild asses in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness yieldeth food for them and for their children.

⁶ They reap every one his corn in the field: and they gather the vintage of the wicked.

⁷ They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold.

⁸ They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter.

⁹ They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.

²⁸ But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

²⁹ And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

³⁰ And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.