In Ezra Chapter 10, we see the repentance that followed Chapter 9. In Chapter 9, they were grieving when they realized how bad the situation was, but we see HOPE early in chapter 10, where is says in verse 2, "yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing."
What gave them hope? Repentance! All around us is a world that faces seemingly hopelessness and darkness. The solution? Turning to Jesus. Turning is the act of repentance.
Repentance came with a price. They had to painfully break off wrong relationships and friendships (verse 11). It was a big job that would require determination, diligence, and accountability (verses 13-14). It would take them weeks and months to make this right (verses 16-17).
When the people saw the HOPE that came with repentance, they were ready to what it took, saying "As thou hast said, so must we do." Are you willing to do what it takes to turn from your hopelessness?
If you don't have a personal relationship with Christ, salvation is a free gift - simply trust Christ and His death, burial and resurrection to take away your sin, and call upon Him for salvation once and for all today. He will come into your heart and give you HOPE.
(Ezra 10:2, 10-12) "And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing. ... And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. 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. Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do."