One of those present, Shechaniah by name, acknowledged as true all the words spoken by Ezra. "We have trespassed against our God," he confessed, "and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing." Shechaniah proposed that all who had transgressed should make a covenant with God to forsake their sin and to be adjudged "according to the law." "Arise," he bade Ezra; "for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage." "Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word." Verses 2-5.

En af de tilstedeværende, som hed Sjekanja, erkendte, at alt, hvad Ezra havde sagt, var sandt. Han sagde: "Vi har været troløse mod vor Gud ved at hjemføre fremmede kvinder af hedningerne i landet. Men trods alt er der endnu håb for Israel." Sjekanja foreslog, at alle de, som havde syndet, skulle slutte pagt med Gud om at afstå fra deres synd, og at man skulle handle efter loven. Han sagde til Ezra: "Stå op, thi det er dig, der skal tage dig af sagen, og vi vil stå dig bi; vær frimodig og tag fat!" Da stod Ezra op og tog præsternes, levitternes og hele Israels øverster i ed på, at de ville handle således." 2-5. vers.