The sorrow of Ezra and his associates over the evils that had insidiously crept into the very heart of the Lord's work, wrought repentance. Many of those who had sinned were deeply affected. "The people wept very sore." Ezra 10:1. In a limited degree they began to realize the heinousness of sin and the horror with which God regards it. They saw the sacredness of the law spoken at Sinai, and many trembled at the thought of their transgressions.

Folket angrede, da de så, at Ezra og hans medarbejdere sørgede så dybt over de onder, som havde sneget sig helt ind til livsnerven af Herrens værk. Det gjorde et dybt indtryk på mange af dem, der havde syndet. "Folket græd heftigt." Ezra 10,1. De begyndte at få et lille begreb om syndens hæslighed og den afsky, som Gud nærer for den, De så, at den lov, som blev forkyndt på Sinaj, er hellig, og skælvede ved tanken om, at de havde overtrådt den.