King James Version

1 And when these were finished, the princes approached me, saying, "The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, like their abominations, the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites." 2 For they took from their daughters for themselves and for their sons, and they mingled the seed of the holy with the peoples of the lands; and the hand of the leaders and the officials was first in this matter. 3 And when I heard this word, I tore my clothing and my coat, and I pulled hair from my head and my beard, and I sat down appalled. 4 And all who tremble at the words of the God of Israel will gather to me because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles, and I will remain in my place until the evening sacrifice. 5 And in the evening offering, I rose from my fast, and with torn garments and with my cloak, I knelt on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God. 6 And I said, "My God, I am ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to you, because our iniquities have increased over our heads, and our guilt is great even to the heavens." 7 From the days of our ancestors, we have been in great guilt until this day, and because of our sins, we have given our kings, our priests into the hands of the kings of the lands, with the sword, with captivity, and with plunder, and with shame of face, as at this day. 8 And now, for a little while, there has been a prayer before the LORD our God to leave us a remnant and to give us a stake in His holy place, to enlighten our eyes, and to give us a little life in our servitude. 9 For we are servants, and we have not forsaken our God, and He has extended kindness to us before the kings of Persia, to give us life, to raise up the house of our God, and to repair its ruins and to provide us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem. 10 And now what shall we say, our God, after this, for we have forsaken Your commandments? 11 Which you commanded by the hand of your servants the prophets to say, "The land which you are going in to possess is a land of defilement; it is defiled by the defilements of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations which have filled it from one end to the other with their uncleanness." 12 And now, do not give your daughters to their sons, and do not take their daughters for your sons, and do not seek their peace or their prosperity forever, so that you may be strong and eat the good of the land and inherit it to your children forever. 13 And after all that has come upon us because of our evil deeds and our great guilt, for you, our God, have withheld from us the punishment for our iniquities and have given us relief such as this. 14 Will we return to break your commandments and to marry the abominable peoples? Will you not be angry with us until there is no remnant or escape? 15 O Lord God of Israel, you are righteous, for we have remained as a remnant today; behold, we stand before you in our guilt, for there is no standing before you because of this.