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
This takes place after the Jewish exiles returned from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem. Ezra had discovered that many Jewish men, including priests and leaders, had married foreign women, which violated God's law and threatened the religious identity of the restored community. The people were gathered to address this serious issue of intermarriage.
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