Ezra prays; Shecaniah calls for action

1While Ezra was praying and making confession, weeping and falling down before the house of God, a very large assembly from Israel gathered to him—men, women, and children—for the people wept bitterly.

2Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, from the sons of Elam, answered and said to Ezra, “We have acted unfaithfully against our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land. Yet now there is hope for Israel concerning this.

3So now let us make a covenant with our God to send away all the women and what has been born from them, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.

4Rise up, for this matter is on you, and we are with you. Be strong and do it.

5So Ezra arose and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel swear to do according to this word, and they swore.