11
But they added, "The crowd is too big, and it's wintertime. We can't stand here in the open like this. This isn't something that can be settled in one or two days, since so many of us are involved in this sin.
12
Let our officials stay in Jerusalem and take charge of the matter. Then let anyone who has a foreign wife come at an appointed time,
13
together with the leaders and the judges of his city. In this way God's anger over this situation will be turned away."
14
Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah assumed responsibility for the plan; and Meshullam, Levi, and Shabbethai served with them as judges.
15
The returned exiles carried out the investigation in full.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.