How we cite our quotes:
Quote #7
Now therefore, our God—the great and mighty and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love—do not treat lightly all the hardship that has come upon us, upon our kings, our officials, our priests, our prophets, our ancestors, and all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria until today. You have been just in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly; our kings, our officials, our priests, and our ancestors have not kept your law or heeded the commandments and the warnings that you gave them. (NRSV Nehemiah 9:32-34)
Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day. Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly: Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them. (KJV Nehemiah 9:32-34)
Ezra confesses that the disloyalty is really all on Israel's side, that God's actually been more merciful and loyal than the people deserved. They only got what was coming to them because of their disobedience, but the great and powerful Oz—sorry, we meant God—didn't forget the covenant.
Quote #8
Here we are, slaves to this day—slaves in the land that you gave to our ancestors to enjoy its fruit and its good gifts. Its rich yield goes to the kings whom you have set over us because of our sins; they have power also over our bodies and over our livestock at their pleasure, and we are in great distress. Because of all this we make a firm agreement in writing and on that sealed document are inscribed the names of our officials, our Levites, and our priests. (NRSV Nehemiah 9:36-38)
Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it: And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress. And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it. (KJV Nehemiah 9:36-38)
Ezra is saying that this time they really mean it. He makes everyone put the promises in writing and has the priests put their stamp of approval on it. This rededication to Mosaic Law is a huge milestone in revitalizing the Israelite nation. Of course, we're talking about Ezra's interpretation of Mosaic Law here. Since he's considered a major editor and compiler of the Biblical canon, he puts his own spin on it.