8. You give life and provide arms and legs to the body formed in the womb, where it is kept safe in the elements of fire and water. The body which you form is carried in the womb for nine months,
9. and you alone provide safety for the protecting womb and the protected body. Then when the womb delivers what was created in it,
10. your command produces milk from the breasts of the human body.
11. The infant you created is fed in this way for a while, and then you continue to provide your mercy.
12. You bring a person up in your righteousness, teach him your Law, and discipline him with your wisdom.
13. You are his Creator, and, as you wish, you can take away his life or allow him to live.
14. But if you are so ready to destroy a person that was so carefully created at your command, why was he created in the first place?”
15. “Now, Lord, I must say this: You may know what is best with regard to the rest of human race, but I mourn for your own people —
16. I am disturbed and grieved for your own nation Israel, the descendants of Jacob.
17. So I want to pray for them and for myself, because I can see how all of us who live on this earth have failed,
18. and I know that judgement will soon come upon us.
19. So please hear me and listen to my prayer.”The prayer that Ezra prayed before he was taken up into heaven begins here. He prayed,