1 Esdras 8:50-52

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

Ezra Proclaims a Fast

⁵⁰ There I proclaimed a fast for the young men before our Lord, to seek from him a prosperous journey for ourselves and for our children and the livestock that were with us. ⁵¹ For I was ashamed to ask the king for foot-soldiers and cavalry and an escort to keep us safe from our adversaries; ⁵² for we had said to the king, ‘The power of our Lord will be with those who seek him, and will support them in every way.’