Ezra 10:1-8 ▼

1 While Ezra (help) prayed and made this confession, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God {Elohim}, a very large assembly of Israelites (God prevails)—men, women, and children—gathered around him, and the people wept bitterly as well.

2 Then Shecaniah (dweller with YHWH) son of Jehiel (God lives), an Elamite (eternity), said to Ezra (help): “We have been unfaithful to our God {Elohim} by marrying foreign women from the people of the land, yet in spite of this, there is hope for Israel (he wrestles with God).

3 So now let us make a covenant before our God {Elohehenu} to send away all the foreign wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the command of our God. Let it be done according to the Law.

4 Get up, for this matter is your responsibility, and we will support you. Be strong and take action!”

5 So Ezra (help) got up and made the leading priests, Levites, and all Israel (he wrestles with God) take an oath to do what had been said. And they took the oath.

6 Then Ezra (help) withdrew from before the house of God {Elohim} and walked to the chamber of Jehohanan (YHWH has graced) son of Eliashib (God restores). And while he stayed (went) there, he ate no food and drank no water, because he was mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.

7 And a proclamation was issued throughout Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace) that all the exiles should gather at Jerusalem.

8 Whoever failed to appear within three days would forfeit all his property, according to the counsel of the leaders and elders, and would himself be expelled from the assembly of the exiles.