shall we againbreakYour commandmentsand intermarrywith the peopleswho commit theseabominations?Would You not be angrywith us to the pointof destruction,untilthereis noremnantnorany who escape?
Then Ezrathe prieststoodup and saidto them, "You have beenunfaithfuland have marriedforeignwivesaddingto the guiltof Israel.
"For they have takensomeof their daughters[as wives] for themselves and for their sons,so that the holyracehas intermingledwith the peoplesof the lands;indeed, the handsof the princesand the rulershave beenforemostin thisunfaithfulness."
"But nowfor a briefmomentgracehas been[shown] from the LORDour God,to leaveus an escapedremnantand to giveus a pegin His holyplace,that our Godmay enlightenour eyesand grantus a littlerevivingin our bondage.
"Did not your fathersdothe same,so that our Godbroughton us and on thiscityallthistrouble?Yet you are addingto the wrathon Israelby profaningthe sabbath."
"You shall makenocovenantwith them or with their gods.
"Nowthen letMe alone,that My angermay burnagainst them and that I may destroythem; and I will makeof you a greatnation."
Unlessthe LORDof hostsHad leftus a fewsurvivors,We would be like Sodom,We would be likeGomorrah.
"Have you forgottenthe wickednessof your fathers,the wickednessof the kingsof Judah,and the wickednessof their wives,your own wickedness,and the wickednessof your wives,whichthey committedin the landof Judahand in the streetsof Jerusalem?
"O JacobMy servant,do not fear,"declaresthe LORD,"For I am with you. For I will makea fullendof allthe nationsWhereI have drivenyou, Yet I will not makea fullendof you; But I will correctyou properlyAnd by nomeansleaveyou unpunished."
"However, I will leavea remnant,for you will havethose whoescapedthe swordamong the nationswhen you are scatteredamong the countries.
"Separateyourselves from amongthiscongregation,that I may consumethem instantly."
"Getawayfrom amongthiscongregation,that I may consumethem instantly."Then they fellon their faces.
AfterwardJesusfoundhim in the templeand saidto him, "Behold,you have becomewell;do not sinanymore,sothat nothingworsehappensto you."
Whatshall we saythen?Are we to continuein sinsothat gracemay increase?
LetMe alone,that I may destroythem and blotout their namefrom underheaven;and I will makeof you a nationmightierand greaterthanthey.'
"Even at Horebyou provokedthe LORDto wrath,and the LORDwas so angrywith you that He would have destroyedyou.
and as for you, you shall makenocovenantwith the inhabitantsof thisland;you shall teardowntheir altars.'But you have not obeyedMe; whatis thisyou have done?
