⁴⁰ “‘But if they will confess^(A) their sins^(B) and the sins of their ancestors^(C)—their unfaithfulness and their hostility toward me,

⁸ If we claim to be without sin,^(A) we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.^{(B) 9} If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins^(C) and purify us from all unrighteousness.^{(D) 10} If we claim we have not sinned,^(E) we make him out to be a liar^(F) and his word is not in us.^(G)

² Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners.^(A) They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors.^{(B) 3} They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God. ⁴ Standing on the stairs of the Levites^(C) were Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani and Kenani. They cried out with loud voices to the Lord their God. ⁵ And the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah and Pethahiah—said: “Stand up and praise the Lord your God,^(D) who is from everlasting to everlasting.^[a]”