Ezra convinces the leaders of the people to return to obeying God. In their case, they had married women who worshiped other gods who distracted them from the worship of God. Because of their responsibility as both national and spiritual leaders, it was necessary for them to separate from these wives. We are not part of ancient Judah and are given different advice in 1 Corinthians 7:12-16. However, it is still wise to avoid close relationships with people who will distract us from God. As it says in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Bad company corrupts good character.”