But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing.
But there are many people here, and it's the rainy season, so we can't stand outside. This isn't something that can be finished in just a day or two, because many of us have done wrong in this matter.
The people are acknowledging that dealing with their widespread disobedience will take time and can't be rushed, especially given the practical challenges they're facing.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Ezra, the Jewish people had returned from exile in Babylon and were working to restore their community in Jerusalem after years of captivity. Ezra, a priest and scribe, confronted the widespread issue of intermarriages with foreign women, which violated God's laws as outlined in the Torah, leading to a call for repentance and separation. The people responded in this verse by highlighting practical challenges, such as the large number of those involved and the rainy weather, arguing that addressing this sin would require more time than just one or two days.
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