The Israelites who were returning from the exile ate it, along with all those who had joined them<n id="1" /> in separating themselves from the uncleanness of the nations of the land to seek the <sc>Lordsc> God of Israel.

Then I said to them, &#8220;You are holy to the <sc>Lordsc>, just as these vessels are holy. The silver and the gold are a voluntary offering to the <sc>Lordsc>, the God of your fathers.

<p class="bodytext">Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, &#8220;You have behaved in an unfaithful manner by taking foreign wives! This has contributed to the guilt of Israel.