Ezra 9:1-6

1Now when these things had been completed, the officials approached me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not 1separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, 2as to their abominations, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2For 3they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons, so that 4the holy 5line has 6intermingled with the peoples of the lands; indeed, the hands of the officials and the leaders have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness.” 3When I heard about this matter, I 7tore my garment and my robe, and pulled out some of the hair from my head and my beard, and 8sat down 9appalled. 4Then 10everyone who was frightened by the words of the God of Israel on account of the unfaithfulness of the exiles gathered to me, and I sat 11appalled until 12the evening offering.

5But at the evening offering I stood up from my 13humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn, and I bowed down on my knees and 14spread out my 15hands to the Lord my God; 6and I said, “My God, I am ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God, for our wrongful deeds have 16risen above our heads, and our 17guilt has grown even to the heavens.