²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”

¹⁶ From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah ¹⁷ who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon^(A) in the other, ¹⁸ and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet^(B) stayed with me.

¹⁹ Then I said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. ²⁰ Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet,^(C) join us there. Our God will fight^(D) for us!”

²¹ So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out.

The People’s Confession of Sin

10 While Ezra was praying and confessing,^(A) weeping^(B) and throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites—men, women and children—gathered around him. They too wept bitterly. ² Then Shekaniah son of Jehiel, one of the descendants of Elam,^(C) said to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful^(D) to our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples around us. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel.^{(E) 3} Now let us make a covenant^(F) before our God to send away^(G) all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law. ⁴ Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.”

⁵ So Ezra rose up and put the leading priests and Levites and all Israel under oath^(H) to do what had been suggested. And they took the oath.

³² David said to Abigail, “Praise^(A) be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me.

³¹ But Moses said, “Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes.^{(A) 32} If you come with us, we will share with you^(B) whatever good things the Lord gives us.^(C)”