4 When I heard these words, I sat and wept and mourned for days, and I was fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.
5 I said, “O Yahweh God of the heavens, the great and awesome one who keeps the covenant and loyal love for the ones who love him and for those who keep his commands.
6 Please, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I am praying before you by day and by night for your servants, the Israelites, and confessing the sins of the Israelites that we have sinned against you. I and my father’s house have sinned.
7 We have certainly offended you and have not kept the commands, regulations, and judgments that you have commanded your servant Moses.
8 Please, remember the word that you have commanded to your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you act unfaithfully I will scatter you all among the nations.
9 But if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, even though all of your outcasts are at the furthest parts of heaven, I will gather them and bring them to the place which I have chosen to make my name dwell.’
10 They are your servants and your people whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.