Definition: And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities [deserve], and hast given us [such] deliverance as this;
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezra 9:13. It’s a pretty significant part of the story of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem after a period of disaster. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God has forgiven us for our sins, and He’s given us a chance to be cleansed and restored. It acknowledges that we messed up badly – we committed serious offenses – but then He’s shown mercy. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds…” - This refers to the troubles and mistakes that happened before, like the destruction of the Temple, and other problems. It’s about a period of shame and wrongdoing. “…and for our great trespass…” – "Great trespass" means something really serious and significant – something that went very wrong. Think of it as a major violation of God's law or His will. “seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities…” - This is the core of the verse. "Thou our God" is a formal way of saying “God.” He’s acknowledging that we didn’t punish us as harshly as we should have . He's giving us a chance to make things right. “…and hast given us [such] deliverance as this?” – This is the key part. God is offering us a rescue , a new beginning, and a way to be forgiven. "Deliverance" means being freed from something bad or wrong. "Such deliverance as this?" - It’s like saying, “This is a special opportunity for us to return to Him.” In short: This verse describes God’s forgiveness and a second chance for the people of Israel after they made terrible mistakes. He's offering them a path back to His presence and restoration. It’s important to note: The story of Ezra 9:13 is part of a larger narrative about rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem after a period of exile. It’s a hopeful message about God’s love and mercy. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further with some examples? Discuss the significance of the story of Ezra 9:13 within the broader context of biblical history?