13:1–3 The pledge of general obedience to the Law of Moses (10:28, 29) included separation from neighboring peoples (10:28). The people did not conform to this aspect of the law (Deut. 23:3–6). The exclusion of “those of foreign descent” was in keeping with the pledge in 10:28, 29. It was religious separation, not racial or political (Ezra 4:3 note).