1. Xerxes’ son Darius, who was a Mede by birth, was made ruler of the kingdom of Babylon.
2. In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from the Scriptures the number of years that Jerusalem would remain in ruins. The Lord had told the prophet Jeremiah that Jerusalem would remain in ruins for 70 years.
3. So I turned to the Lord God and looked to him for help. I prayed, pleaded, and fasted in sackcloth and ashes.
4. I prayed to the Lord my God. I confessed and said, “Lord, you are great and deserve respect as the only God. You keep your promise and show mercy to those who love you and obey your commandments.
5. We have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, rebelled, and turned away from your commandments and laws.