⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we ^(A)confess our sins, He is ^(B)faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to ^(C)cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we ^(D)make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

² Then ^(A)those of Israelite lineage separated themselves from all foreigners; and they stood and ^(B)confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. ³ And they stood up in their place and ^(C)read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for one-fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God.

⁴ Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani stood on the ^[a]stairs of the Levites and cried out with a loud voice to the Lord their God. ⁵ And the Levites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said:

A Call to Repentance

^33 (A)“When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and ^(B)when they turn back to You and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication to You in this temple, ³⁴ then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to their ^(C)fathers.

^35 (D)“When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, ³⁶ then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may ^(E)teach them ^(F)the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance.

The Blessing of Returning to God

30 “Now ^(A)it shall come to pass, when ^(B)all these things come upon you, the blessing and the ^(C)curse which I have set before you, and ^(D)you ^[a]call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God drives you, ² and you ^(E)return to the Lord your God and obey His voice, according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, ^3 (F)that the Lord your God will bring you back from captivity, and have compassion on you, and ^(G)gather you again from all the nations where the Lord your God has scattered you.

^7 (A)then he shall confess the sin which he has committed. He shall make restitution for his trespass ^(B)in full, plus one-fifth of it, and give it to the one he has wronged.

³¹ Then ^(A)you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you ^(B)will ^[a]loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations.