21. Then I testified and protested against them and said unto them, Why do ye lodge about the wall? If ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth they came no more on the sabbath.
22. And I told the Levites that they should cleanse themselves and that they should come and guard the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
23. In those days I also saw Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab;
24. and their sons spoke half in the speech of Ashdod, and according to the language of each people; for they could not speak in the Jews’ language.
25. And I contended with them and cursed them and smote certain of them and plucked off their hair and made them swear by God, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.
26. Did not Solomon, king of Israel, sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel; nevertheless, strange women caused even him to offend.
27. Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange women?