3. Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to sever relations with all the women and their children according to the counsel of my lord and those who tremble at the commandment of our God. May this be done in accordance with the law.
4. Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. But we are standing with you. Be courageous and act!”
5. Then Ezra stood and made the presiding Levitical priests and all Israel to swear an oath to act according to this word. And they swore an oath.
6. Then Ezra stood in front of the house of God and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib. When he arrived there, he ate no bread and drank no water because he was mourning over the vile unfaithfulness of the exiles.
7. They made a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem for all the children of the exile to assemble in Jerusalem.