“And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness.” Ezra 9:2b
When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled.
Ezra 9:3
Then,…I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the Lord my God and prayed:
“O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens.”
Ezra 9: 5,6
“But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage.”
Ezra 9:8
“But now, O our God, what can we say after this? For we have disregarded the commands you gave…”
Ezra 9:10,11
“What has happened to us is a result of our evil deeds and our great guilt, and yet, our God, you have punished us less than our sins have deserved and have given us a remnant like this. “
Ezra 9:13
“Now make confession to the Lord, the God of your fathers, and do his will.’
Ezra 10:11a