⁵ we have sinned^(A) and done wrong.^(B) We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away^(C) from your commands and laws.^{(D) 6} We have not listened^(E) to your servants the prophets,^(F) who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors,^(G) and to all the people of the land.

⁷ “Lord, you are righteous,^(H) but this day we are covered with shame^(I)—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered^(J) us because of our unfaithfulness^(K) to you.^{(L) 8} We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you.^(M)

⁷ From the days of our ancestors^(A) until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we and our kings and our priests have been subjected to the sword^(B) and captivity,^(C) to pillage and humiliation^(D) at the hand of foreign kings, as it is today.

⁸ “But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious^(E) in leaving us a remnant^(F) and giving us a firm place^[a](G) in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes^(H) and a little relief in our bondage. ⁹ Though we are slaves,^(I) our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness^(J) in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins,^(K) and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.

¹⁰ “But now, our God, what can we say after this? For we have forsaken the commands^{(L) 11} you gave through your servants the prophets when you said: ‘The land you are entering^(M) to possess is a land polluted^(N) by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices^(O) they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other. ¹² Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them^(P) at any time, that you may be strong^(Q) and eat the good things^(R) of the land and leave it to your children as an everlasting inheritance.’^(S)

¹³ “What has happened to us is a result of our evil^(T) deeds and our great guilt, and yet, our God, you have punished us less than our sins deserved^(U) and have given us a remnant like this. ¹⁴ Shall we then break your commands again and intermarry^(V) with the peoples who commit such detestable practices? Would you not be angry enough with us to destroy us,^(W) leaving us no remnant^(X) or survivor? ¹⁵ Lord, the God of Israel, you are righteous!^(Y) We are left this day as a remnant. Here we are before you in our guilt, though because of it not one of us can stand^(Z) in your presence.^(AA)”