⁴ Then everyone who trembled^(A) at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of this unfaithfulness of the exiles. And I sat there appalled^(B) until the evening sacrifice.

²⁷ Because your heart was responsive^(A) and you humbled^(B) yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. ²⁸ Now I will gather you to your ancestors,^(C) and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on those who live here.’”^(D)

So they took her answer back to the king.

¹³ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast^(A) and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’^(B)

¹⁴ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”^(C)