For several days I mourned and did not eat. I prayed to God, ⁵“Lord God of Heaven! You are great, and we stand in fear of you. You faithfully keep your covenant with those who love you and do what you command. ⁶Look at me, Lord, and hear my prayer, as I pray day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess that we, the people of Israel, have sinned. My ancestors and I have sinned. ⁷We have acted wickedly against you and have not done what you commanded. We have not kept the laws which you gave us through Moses, your servant. ⁸^*Remember now what you told Moses: ‘If you people of Israel are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the other nations. ⁹^*But then if you turn back to me and do what I have commanded you, I will bring you back to the place where I have chosen to be worshipped, even though you are scattered to the ends of the earth.’

¹⁰“Lord, these are your servants, your own people. You rescued them by your great power and strength. ¹¹Listen now to my prayer and to the prayers of all your other servants who want to honour you. Give me success today and make the emperor merciful to me.”

In those days I was the emperor’s wine steward.

Read in Logos

Cross references

*1.8: Lv 26:33
*1.9: Dt 30:1–5