5
Then the men of the tribe of Judah and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem within three days; this was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month.
6
And all the multitude sat in the open square before the temple, shivering because of the bad weather that prevailed.
7
Then Ezra rose and said to them, "You have broken the law and married foreign women, and so have increased the sin of Israel.
8
Now then make confession and give glory to the Lord the God of our fathers,
9
and do his will; separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from your foreign wives."
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.