Ezra 9:9-15

New International Version

⁹ Though we are slaves,^(A) our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness^(B) in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins,^(C) and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.

¹⁰ “But now, our God, what can we say after this? For we have forsaken the commands^{(D) 11} you gave through your servants the prophets when you said: ‘The land you are entering^(E) to possess is a land polluted^(F) by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices^(G) they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other. ¹² Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them^(H) at any time, that you may be strong^(I) and eat the good things^(J) of the land and leave it to your children as an everlasting inheritance.’^(K)

¹³ “What has happened to us is a result of our evil^(L) deeds and our great guilt, and yet, our God, you have punished us less than our sins deserved^(M) and have given us a remnant like this. ¹⁴ Shall we then break your commands again and intermarry^(N) with the peoples who commit such detestable practices? Would you not be angry enough with us to destroy us,^(O) leaving us no remnant^(P) or survivor? ¹⁵ Lord, the God of Israel, you are righteous!^(Q) We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before you in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand^(R) in your presence.^(S)”