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"Listen to what I have to say, people of Israel.
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At first our ancestors lived as foreigners in Egypt, but then they were set free
30
and received from God the life-giving Law. But they did not keep it, and when your turn came, you did not keep it either.
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God gave you the holy land as your own possession, but you were as sinful as your ancestors and did not follow the ways that God Most High had commanded.
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God is a just judge, so after a while he took away what he had given you.
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Now you are in exile here, but you are closer to Jerusalem than some of your own people.
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But if you will discipline your thoughts and be willing to learn, you will be kept safe in this life and will be granted mercy after death,
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for Judgment Day comes after death. We will be brought back to life, and the righteous people will be made known, while what the godless have done will be exposed.
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But now for forty days, no one is to come near me or try to find me."
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As I had been commanded, I took the five men, and we went to the field and stayed there.
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On the next day I suddenly heard a voice saying, "Ezra, open your mouth and drink what I am giving you."