Ezra 9:2-4

New Catholic Bible

² They have taken women of these nations as wives for themselves and their sons, and as a result, they have contaminated the holy race by such unions. In this regard the leaders and the magistrates have been the major offenders.”

Ezra’s Exhortation. ³ Upon hearing this news, I tore my tunic and cloak, after which I plucked hair from my beard and my head and sat down in a complete stupor until the evening sacrifice. ⁴ Then all those who trembled with fear at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me, while I sat there appalled until the evening sacrifice.