Ezra 9:13
What does Ezra 9:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 9:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 9:13 means
Ezra reflects that after all the calamities they suffered because of their evil deeds and great guilt, God punished them less than they deserved and granted a remnant. Mercy, not strict retribution, has characterized God’s dealings. Recognizing this humbles pride and silences complaint. A spared remnant is evidence that God aims to restore, not utterly destroy. This admission deepens the sense of responsibility: to abuse mercy is worse than to sin in ignorance. If God has been so gracious, then continuing in disobedience is not just wrong—it is ungrateful and perilous.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great guilt, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such a remnant,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great guilt, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such a remnant,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And after everything which has come on us because of our evil-doing and our great sin, and seeing that the punishment which you, O God, have given us, is less than the measure of our sins, and that you have kept from death those of us who are here;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And after all that hath come upon us for our evil works, and for our great guilt (for Thou, O our God, hast kept back of the rod from our iniquities, and hast given to us an escape like this),
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And after all that is come upon us, for our most wicked deeds, and our great sin, seeing that thou our God hast saved us from our iniquity, and hast given us a deliverance as at this day,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great trespass, seeing that thou ourGod hast punished us less than our iniquities [deserve], and hast given us such deliverance as this,
Context
Verse 13 draws a contrast between deserved judgment and received mercy, building on verses 8–9. This sets the stage for the rhetorical question in verse 14: shall we again break Your commandments after such kindness? The flow aims to awaken holy fear and gratitude. The logic is cumulative: God warned (verses 11–12), judged (verse 7), then showed mercy (verses 8–9, 13). Therefore, persisting in sin now would be to invite a more severe outcome.
v.12now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their prosperity for ever; that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.
v.13This passage
v.14shall we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the peoples that do these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 24:13
In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have cleansed thee and thou wast not cleansed, thou shalt not be cleansed from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my wrath toward thee to rest.
- Habakkuk 3:2
O Jehovah, I have heard the report of thee, and am afraid: O Jehovah, revive thy work in the midst of the years; In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy.
- Lamentations 3:22
It is of Jehovah’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
- Psalms 103:10
He hath not dealt with us after our sins, Nor rewarded us after our iniquities.
- Psalms 106:45
And he remembered for them his covenant, And repented according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
- Job 11:6
And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.