1. It was the first year that Darius was king of Babylonia. He was from Media and was the son of Xerxes.
2. In that year I learned from the Scriptures that Jerusalem would remain destroyed for 70 years. That was what the Lord had told the prophet Jeremiah.
3. So I prayed to the Lord God. I begged him. I made many appeals to him. I didn't eat anything. I put on black clothes. And I sat down in ashes.
4. I prayed to the Lord my God. I admitted that we had sinned. I said, "Lord, you are a great and wonderful God. You keep the covenant you made with all those who love you and obey your commands. You show them your love.
5. "We have sinned and done what is wrong. We have been evil. We have refused to obey you. We have turned away from your commands and laws.
6. We haven't listened to your servants the prophets. They spoke in your name to our kings and princes. They also brought your message to all of our people in the land.
7. "Lord, you always do what is right. But we are covered with shame today. We are the people of Judah and Jerusalem. All of us are Israelites, no matter where we live. We are now living in many countries. You scattered us among the nations because we weren't faithful to you.
8. Lord, we and our kings and princes and people are covered with shame. We have sinned against you.
9. "You are the Lord our God. You show us your tender love. You forgive us. But we have turned against you.
10. You are the Lord our God. But we haven't obeyed you. We haven't kept the laws you gave us through your servants the prophets.
11. All of the people of Israel have broken your law and turned away from it. They have refused to obey you. "Curses and warnings are written down in the Law of Moses. He was your servant. Those curses have been poured out on us. That's because we have sinned against you.