Definition: Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Ezra 10:11. It's a really important part of understanding how the Jewish community was dealing with a difficult situation in ancient Israel. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that Jews needed to turn away from living among people who weren’t Jewish – those who were "strange wives" or “foreigners.” It's a call for repentance and a shift in their way of life. Let’s unpack it word by word: “Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers…” - This is like saying, “It’s time to acknowledge that we were wrong.” The word "now" suggests this isn't a one-time thing; it’s a necessary step. "...and do his pleasure…" – This is tricky. It doesn’t mean they had to do something specific to please God. It means they needed to show respect and obedience to the divine will. Think of it as acknowledging that there's a higher power guiding them. “…separate yourselves from the people of the land…” – This is saying, “Let’s move away from our current community.” "...and from the strange wives." - This is the crucial part! "Strange wives" refers to those who were married to foreigners—people from other countries. It was a significant problem in ancient Israel because they weren't accepted as full members of the Jewish people. What’s the overall message? Ezra 10:11 is about acknowledging a serious mistake and taking steps to correct it. The Jews were living in a way that wasn’t truly aligned with God’s purpose, and this verse is urging them to repent (change their attitude) and live according to God's will again. It highlights the importance of remembering their origins and returning to the covenant they made with God through Moses. In short: It’s a plea for repentance, separation from an undesirable group, and a return to the original, righteous way of life as described in the Bible. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? For example, I could go into a little more about the context of this time period or what "strange wives" meant.