⁸ “But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious^(A) in leaving us a remnant^(B) and giving us a firm place^[a](C) in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes^(D) and a little relief in our bondage. ⁹ Though we are slaves,^(E) our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness^(F) 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,^(G) 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^{(H) 11} you gave through your servants the prophets when you said: ‘The land you are entering^(I) to possess is a land polluted^(J) by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices^(K) 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^(L) at any time, that you may be strong^(M) and eat the good things^(N) of the land and leave it to your children as an everlasting inheritance.’^(O)

⁸ “But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious^(A) in leaving us a remnant^(B) and giving us a firm place^[a](C) in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes^(D) and a little relief in our bondage. ⁹ Though we are slaves,^(E) our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness^(F) 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,^(G) 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^(H)