Ezra 9:2-4

Good News Translation

² Jewish men were marrying foreign women, and so God's holy people had become contaminated. The leaders and officials were the chief offenders. ³ When I heard this, I tore my clothes in despair, tore my hair and my beard, and sat down crushed with grief. ⁴ I sat there grieving until the time for the evening sacrifice to be offered, and people began to gather around me—all those who were frightened because of what the God of Israel had said about the sins of those who had returned from exile.