4 When I heard these things I sat down abruptly, crying and mourning for several days. I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
5 Then I said, “Please, O lord God of heaven, great and awesome God, who keeps his loving covenant with those who love him and obey his commandments,
6 may your ear be attentive and your eyes be open to hear the prayer of your servant that I am praying to you today throughout both day and night on behalf of your servants the Israelites. I am confessing the sins of the Israelites that we have committed against you – both I myself and my family have sinned.
7 We have behaved corruptly against you, not obeying the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments that you commanded your servant Moses.
8 Please recall the word you commanded your servant Moses: ‘If you act unfaithfully, I will scatter you among the nations.
9 But if you repent and obey my commandments and do them, then even if your dispersed people are in the most remote location, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen for my name to reside.’
10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your mighty strength and by your powerful hand.