7. Then a proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem that all the exiles should come to Jerusalem.
8. Those who failed to come within three days would, if the leaders and elders so decided, forfeit all their property and be expelled from the assembly of the exiles.
9. Within three days, all the people of Judah and Benjamin had gathered in Jerusalem. This took place on December 19, and all the people were sitting in the square before the Temple of God. They were trembling both because of the seriousness of the matter and because it was raining.
10. Then Ezra the priest stood and said to them: “You have committed a terrible sin. By marrying pagan women, you have increased Israel’s guilt.
11. So now confess your sin to the lord, the God of your ancestors, and do what he demands. Separate yourselves from the people of the land and from these pagan women.”
12. Then the whole assembly raised their voices and answered, “Yes, you are right; we must do as you say!”