Ezra 9 details events that take place around four months after Ezra and the new exiles have returned to Jerusalem (according to Ezra 10:9). Ezra is approached by a group of officials who inform him that God’s people have not been living in accordance with God’s law (Ezra 9:1–2). Upon hearing this news, Ezra is distraught, he tears his clothes and sits in silence at the temple until the time of evening sacrifice (Ezra 9:3–5). Ezra then prays loudly and publicly so that all those who have gathered around him can hear his prayer (Ezra 9:5–15). Ezra 9 thus contains narrative, dialogue, and an example of prayer.
1 Après que cela fut terminé, les chefs s'approchèrent de moi, en disant: Le peuple d'Israël, les sacrificateurs et les Lévites ne se sont point séparés des peuples de ce pays, et ils imitent leurs abominations, celles des Cananéens, des Héthiens, des Phéréziens, des Jébusiens, des Ammonites, des Moabites, des Egyptiens et des Amoréens.