12 Now therefore, ^ado not give your daughters as wives for their sons, nor take their daughters to your sons; and ^bnever seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land, and ^cleave it as an inheritance to your children forever.’  ‡

13 And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, since You our God ^ahave punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us such deliverance as this,  ‡

15 O Lord God of Israel, ^aYou are righteous, for we are left as a remnant, as it is this day. ^bHere we are before You, ^cin our guilt, though no one can stand before You because of this!” ‡