5
And in three days were all those of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin gathered together at Jerusalem the twentieth day of the ninth month.
6
And all the multitude sat trembling in the broad court of the temple because of the present foul weather.
7
So Ezra arose up and said unto them, "Ye have transgressed the law in marrying foreign wives, thereby to increase the sins of Israel.
8
And now, by confessing, give glory unto the Lord God of our fathers,
9
and do His will and separate yourselves from the heathen of the land and from the foreign women."
10
Then cried the whole multitude, and said with a loud voice, "As thou hast spoken, so will we do.
11
But forasmuch as the people are many, and it is foul weather so that we cannot stand outside, and this is not the work of a day or two, seeing our sin in these things is spread far,
12
therefore let the rulers of the multitude stay, and let all those of our habitations who have foreign wives come at the time appointed,
13
and with them the rulers and judges of every place, till we turn away the wrath of the Lord from us for this matter."
14
Then Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah accordingly took this matter upon them; and Meshullam and Levi and Shabbethai helped them.
15
And those who were of the captivity did according to all these things.