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21 And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled. 22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen[a] to accompany us and protect us from enemies along the way. After all, we had told the king, “Our God’s hand of protection is on all who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him.” 23 So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.

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Footnotes

  1. 8:22 Or charioteers.

God’s Protection Sought

21 Then I called for (A)a fast there at (B)the river of Ahava, that we might (C)humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a [a]direct journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions. 22 For I was ashamed to ask from the king for a military force and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the way, because we had said to the king, “(D)The hand of our God is upon all those who seek Him, for their good, but (E)His strength and His anger are against all those who (F)forsake Him.” 23 So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He [b](G)was moved by our entreaty.

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Footnotes

  1. Ezra 8:21 Lit straight way
  2. Ezra 8:23 Lit was entreated by us