9
So all the men of Juda and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem within the three days. This the ninth month: on the twentieth day of the month all the people sat down in the street of the house of the Lord, because of their alarm concerning the word, and because of the storm.
10
And Esdras the priest arose, and said to them, Ye have broken covenant, and have taken strange wives, to add to the trespass of Israel.
11
Now therefore give praise to the Lord God of our fathers, and do that which is pleasing in his sight: and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the strange wives.
12
Then all the congregation answered and said, This thy word powerful upon us to do it.
13
But the people numerous, and the season stormy, and there is no power to stand without, and the work is more than enough for one day or for two; for we have greatly sinned in this matter.
14
Let now our rulers stand, and for all those in our cities who have taken strange wives, let them come at appointed times, and with them elders from every several city, and judges, to turn away the fierce wrath of our God from us concerning this matter.
15
Only Jonathan the son of Asael, and Jazias the son of Thecoe with me concerning this; and Mesollam, and Sabbathai the Levite helped them.
16
And the children of the captivity did thus: and Esdras the priest, and heads of families according to house were separated, and all by their names, for they returned in the first day of the tenth month to search out the matter.
17
And they made an end with all the men who had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month.
18
And there were found of the sons of the priests who had taken strange wives: of the sons of Jesus the son of Josedec, and his brethren; Maasia, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gadalia.
19
And they pledged themselves to put away their wives, and a ram of the flock for a trespass-offering because of their trespass.