34 Our kings, leaders, priests, and ancestors didn’t obey your teachings.They didn’t pay attention to your commandments or the warningsthat you gave them.
35 When they lived in their own kingdom and enjoyed the many good thingsthat you gave them in a vast, fertile landwhich was set in front of them, they didn’t serve youor turn away from their wicked lives.
36 Look ⌊at us⌋ now. We’re slaves!In the land you gave our ancestors,they could eat its produce and ⌊enjoy⌋ its good things.But now we’re slaves!
37 The many products ⌊from our land⌋ go to the kings you put over us.This is because of our sins.These kings have control over our bodies,and they do as they please with our livestock.We are in agony.
38 “We are making a binding agreement ⌊and putting it⌋ in writing because of all this. Our leaders, Levites, and priests are putting their seals on the document.”