"Do we then hearabout you that you have committedallthisgreatevilby actingunfaithfullyagainst our Godby marryingforeignwomen?"
Shecaniahthe sonof Jehiel,one of the sonsof Elam,saidto Ezra,"We have beenunfaithfulto our Godand have marriedforeignwomenfrom the peoplesof the land;yet nowthereis hopefor Israelin spiteof this.
shall we againbreakYour commandmentsand intermarrywith the peopleswho commit theseabominations?Would You not be angrywith us to the pointof destruction,untilthereis noremnantnorany who escape?
As for the peoplesof the landwho bringwaresor anygrainon the sabbathdayto sell,we will not buyfrom them on the sabbathor a holyday;and we will forego[the crops] the seventhyearand the exactionof everydebt.
In thosedaysI alsosawthat the Jewshad marriedwomenfrom Ashdod,Ammon[and] Moab.
"And whowill listento you in thismatter?For as his shareis who goesdownto the battle,so shall his sharebe who staysby the baggage;they shall sharealike."
