Albert Barnes Commentary Ezra 9:7

"Since the days of our fathers we have been exceeding guilty unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to plunder, and to confusion of face, as it is this day." — Ezra 9:7 (ASV)

Very similar in tone to this are the confessions of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9:29–35) and of Daniel (see the marginal references). The captivity had done its work by deeply convincing of sin the Jewish nation that had previously been so proud and self-righteous.