I am often led astray; I listen to the voice of the tempter, I give way to my besetting sin.

I want to break off from it, but I cannot; I want to leave the companions who are leading me wrong, but I have not the strength to do it.

How can I become strong?
Here, in the story of Nehemiah, we find the answer.

Let us come again to the water-gate, at the south-east of the city.

There is the huge pulpit of wood, there is Ezra with the roll in his hand, there are the people, sobbing as if their hearts would break.
But 'blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted' It is for sin that their hearts are broken, they feel they have left undone so much that ought to have been done, they have done so much that they ought not to have done, that they are crushed with sorrow, and the tears will come.
But hush, who are these passing amongst the weeping crowd?
There is Nehemiah the Tirshatha, or governor, there is Ezra the scribe, and they are followed by a company of Levites.