Liber Esdrae, 9

1. Postquam autem haec completa sunt, accesserunt ad me princi pes dicentes: “Non est separatus populus Israel, sacerdotes et Levitae a populis terrarum et abominationibus eorum, Chananaei videlicet et Hetthaei et Pherezaei et Iebusaei et Ammonitarum et Moabitarum et Aegyptiorum et Amorraeorum.

1. After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, "The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Per'izzites, the Jeb'usites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.

2. Tulerunt enim de filiabus eorum sibi et filiis suis et commiscuerunt semen sanctum cum populis terrarum; manus etiam principum et magistratuum fuit in transgressione hac prima”.

2. For they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons; so that the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost."

3. Cumque audissem sermonem istum, scidi vestimentum meum et pallium et evelli capillos capitis mei et barbae et sedi maerens.

3. When I heard this, I rent my garments and my mantle, and pulled hair from my head and beard, and sat appalled.

4. Convenerunt autem ad me omnes, qui timebant verba Dei Israel pro transgressione eorum, qui de captivitate venerant; et ego sedebam tristis usque ad sacrificium vespertinum.

4. Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered round me while I sat appalled until the evening sacrifice.

5. Et in sacrificio vespertino surrexi de afflictione mea et, scisso vestimento et pallio, curvavi genua mea et expandi manus meas ad Dominum Deum meum.

5. And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garments and my mantle rent, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God,

6. Et dixi: “Deus meus, confundor et erubesco levare faciem meam ad te, quoniam iniquitates nostrae multiplicatae sunt super caput nostrum, et delicta nostra creverunt usque ad caelum

6. saying: "O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to thee, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens.

7. a diebus patrum nostrorum. Peccavimus graviter usque ad diem hanc, et propter iniquitates nostras traditi sumus, ipsi et reges nostri et sacerdotes nostri, in manum regum terrarum et in gladium et in captivitatem et in rapinam et in confusionem vultus sicut et die hac.

7. From the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt; and for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as at this day.

8. Et nunc ad momentum invenimus gratiam apud Dominum Deum nostrum, ut servaret nobis reliquias et figeret nobis tentorium in loco sancto eius et illuminaret oculos nostros Deus noster et daret nobis solacium modicum in servitute nostra.

8. But now for a brief moment favor has been shown by the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant, and to give us a secure hold within his holy place, that our God may brighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage.

9. Quia servi sumus, et in servitute nostra non dereliquit nos Deus noster, sed inclinavit super nos misericordiam regum Persarum, ut darent nobis solacium, et erigeretur domus Dei nostri, et instaurarentur ruinae eius, et dedit nobis refugium in Iuda et Ierusalem.

9. For we are bondmen; yet our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection in Judea and Jerusalem.

10. Et nunc quid dicemus, Deus noster, post haec? Dereliquimus mandata tua,

10. "And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken thy commandments,

11. quae praecepisti in manu servorum tuorum prophetarum dicens: “Terra, ad quam vos ingredimini, ut possideatis eam, terra immunda est, iuxta immunditiam populorum terrarum et abominationem eorum, qui repleverunt eam a fine usque ad finem coinquinatione sua.

11. which thou didst command by thy servants the prophets, saying, `The land which you are entering, to take possession of it, is a land unclean with the pollutions of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations which have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness.

12. Nunc ergo filias vestras ne detis filiis eorum et filias eorum ne accipiatis filiis vestris et non quaeratis pacem eorum et prosperitatem eorum usque in aeternum, ut confortemini et comedatis, quae bona sunt terrae, et heredes habeatis filios vestros usque in saeculum”.

12. Therefore give not your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters for your sons, and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.'

13. Et post omnia, quae venerunt super nos in operibus nostris pessimis et in delicto nostro magno, quia tu, Deus noster, non iudicasti secundum iniquitates nostras et dedisti nobis salutem, sicut est hodie,

13. And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that thou, our God, hast punished us less than our iniquities deserved and hast given us such a remnant as this,

14. numquid amplius irrita faciemus mandata tua et matrimonia iungemus cum populis abominationum istarum? Numquid iratus es nobis usque ad consummationem, ut non essent reliquiae et salus?

14. shall we break thy commandments again and intermarry with the peoples who practice these abominations? Wouldst thou not be angry with us till thou wouldst consume us, so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape?

15. Domine, Deus Israel, tua clementia superstites sumus sicut die hac! Ecce coram te sumus in delicto nostro; non enim stari potest coram te propter hoc”.

15. O LORD the God of Israel, thou art just, for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as at this day. Behold, we are before thee in our guilt, for none can stand before thee because of this."