1
Now when these things were done, the princes drew near to me, saying, "The people of Yisra’el, and the kohenim and the Leviyim, have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, following their abominations, even those of the Kena’anim, the Chittim, the Perizzim, the Yevusim, the Ammonim, the Moavim, the Mitzrim, and the Emorim.
2
For they have taken of their daughters for themselves and for their sons, so that the set-apart seed have mixed themselves with the peoples of the lands. Yes, the hand of the princes and rulers has been chief in this trespass."
3
When I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down confounded.
4
Then were assembled to me everyone who trembled at the words of Elohim of Yisra’el, because of their trespass of the captivity; and I sat confounded until the evening offering.
5
At the evening offering I arose up from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn; and I fell on my knees, and spread out my hands to Yahuah my Elohim;
6
and I said, "My Elohim, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you, my Elohim; for our iniquities have increased over our head, and our guiltiness has grown up to the heavens.
7
Since the days of our fathers we have been exceeding guilty to this day; and for our iniquities we, our kings, and our kohenim, have been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plunder, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
8
Now for a little moment grace has been shown from Yahuah our Elohim, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his set-apart place, that our Elohim may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
9
For we are bondservants; yet our Elohim has not forsaken us in our bondage, but has extended loving kindness to us in the sight of the kings of Paras, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our Elohim, and to repair its ruins, and to give us a wall in Yehudah and in Yerushalayim.
10
"Now, our Elohim, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments,
11
which you have commanded by your servants the prophets, saying, 'The land, to which you go to possess it, is an unclean land through the uncleanness of the peoples of the lands, through their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their filthiness.
12
Now therefore do not give your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters to your sons, nor seek their peace or their prosperity forever; that you may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children forever.'
13
"After all that has come on us for our evil deeds, and for our great guilt, since you, our Elohim, have punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us such a remnant,
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shall we again break your commandments, and join in affinity with the peoples that do these abominations? Wouldn't you be angry with us until you had consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape?
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Yahuah, Elohim of Yisra’el, you are righteous; for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is this day. Behold, we are before you in our guiltiness; for none can stand before you because of this."