Chapter 10 of Ezra finds the post-exilic Hebrews entering into marriages that have been expressly forbidden by God. Verse 11 (KJV) records Ezra's advice on how the people should correct that situation. That verse reads,
Now therefore make confession unto the Lord God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
Although that verse applies to that particular point in Jewish history, the message is general enough to apply to any sins in our own lives. Just substitute the phrase "strange wives" for whatever transgression we have committed.
That is, when we sin, we should (1) make confession to God, (2) adjust our behavior so that we "do his pleasure," and (3) separate ourselves from the source of our sinful activity.
