4 When I heard this, I sat down and cried. I mourned for days. I continued to fast and pray to the God of heaven.
5 I said,“Lord God of heaven, great and awe-inspiring God, you faithfully keep your promise and show mercy to those who love you and obey your commandments.
6 Open your eyes, and pay close attention with your ears to what I, your servant, am praying. I am praying to you day and night about your servants the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against you as well as the sins that my father’s family and I have committed.
7 We have done you a great wrong. We haven’t obeyed the commandments, laws, or regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.
8 Please remember what you told us through your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations.
9 But if you return to me and continue to obey my commandments, though your people may be driven to the most distant point on the horizon, I will come and get you from there and bring you to the place where I chose to put my name.’
10 These are your servants and your people whom you have saved by your great power and your strong hand.