4
by order of the leaders of the people. If anyone failed to come within two or three days, his cattle would be confiscated, and he would lose his right to be a member of the community.
5
Within the three days, on the twentieth day of the ninth month, all the men of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin came to Jerusalem
6
and assembled in the Temple square. Everyone was shivering from the cold because it was wintertime.
7
Then Ezra stood up and spoke to them, "You have broken the Law and brought guilt on Israel by marrying foreign women.
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Now then, tell the truth and confess your sins to the Lord, the God of our ancestors,
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.