[2] And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing. [3] Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law. [4] Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.