⁹ So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry^(A) with me.

²² I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers^(A) 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^(B) who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.^(C)”