1. Ezra was praying and confessing. He was crying and throwing himself down in front of the Temple. A large group of Israelite men, women and children gathered around him. They were also crying loudly.
2. Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel the Elamite spoke to Ezra. Shecaniah said, “We have been unfaithful to our God. We have been marrying women from the peoples around us. But even so, there is still hope for Israel.
3. Now let us make an agreement before our God. We will send away all these women and their children. This is your advice. It is also the advice of those who respect the commands of our God. Let it be done to obey his Teachings.
4. Get up, Ezra. You are in charge. But we will support you. So have courage and do it.”
5. So Ezra got up. He made these people make a promise: the priests, the Levites and all the people of Israel. They promised to do what was suggested.
6. Then Ezra left the Temple. He went to the room of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. While Ezra was there, he did not eat or drink. He was still sad about the unfaithfulness of the captives who had returned.
7. Then an order was sent everywhere in Judah and Jerusalem. All the captives who had returned had to meet together in Jerusalem.