²⁰ They also brought 220 of the temple servants^(A)—a body that David and the officials had established to assist the Levites. All were registered by name.

²¹ There, by the Ahava Canal,^(B) I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey^(C) for us and our children, with all our possessions. ²² I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers^(D) and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone^(E) who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.^(F)”