Another matter, “if you lend money to My people,” that is what is written: “One who increases his wealth through usury and interest amasses it for the sake of one who is gracious to the indigent” (Proverbs 28:8). There is a person who is wealthy, and he lends with interest and amasses much money, but he dies without children and all his money enters the royal treasury. What does the king do with that money?
He constructs platforms, bathhouses, benches, and lavatories for the use of the poor. That is, “amasses it for the sake of one who is gracious to the indigent.” Another matter, “one who increases his wealth through usury,” this is Esau the wicked, who was a lender with usury and interest. For whom did he accrue this money?
For Israel, as it is stated: “For the sake of one who is gracious to the indigent.” And it is stated: “They will plunder their plunderers and loot their looters” (Ezekiel 39:10). That is why the Holy One blessed be He cautioned Israel not to lend with interest, so that others will not consume their belongings. That is, “if you lend money to My people, to the poor.”