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.

I'm also lending money and grain, as are my fellow-Jews and my servants, but let's not charge interest.

So today please restore to them their fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and homes, along with the one percent interest charge that you've assessed them on the grain, wine, and oil."

They responded, "We will restore these things, and will assess no interest charges against them. We will do what you are requesting!"