12 O Lord our God, we have sinned; we have been unfaithful; we have disobeyed all your commands.
13 But do not be angry with us any longer. Here among the nations where you have scattered us, only a few of us are left.
14 Listen to our prayer of petition, Lord, and rescue us for the sake of your own honour. Let those who have taken us into exile be pleased with us.
15 Then the whole world will know that you are the Lord our God and that you have chosen the nation of Israel to be your own people.
16 “O Lord, look down from heaven and see our misery. Listen to our prayer.
17 Open your eyes and look upon us. Those in the world of the dead with no breath left in their bodies cannot offer praises to you or proclaim how just you are.
18 Only the living, O Lord, can offer you praise and acknowledge your justice, even though they may be suffering greatly, bent and weak, hungry and with failing eyesight.