1 When the Israelites assembled on the twenty-fourth day of this month, they fasted, wore sackcloth, and threw dirt on their heads.
2 Those who were descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood and confessed their sins as well as the wicked things their ancestors had done.
3 They stood in their places, and for one-fourth of the day, ⌞they listened as⌟ the Book of the Teachings of the Lord their God was read, and for another fourth ⌞of the day⌟, they confessed their sins and worshiped the Lord their God.
4 Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chanani stood on the stairs built for the Levites and cried loudly to the Lord their God.
5 Then the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said, “Stand up, and thank the Lord your God:
6 You alone are the Lord.
7 You are the Lord, the God who chose Abram
8 You found that his heart was faithful to you.
9 You saw how our ancestors suffered in Egypt,
10 You performed miraculous signs and did amazing things to Pharaoh
11 You divided the sea in front of them
12 You led them during the day by a column of smoke
13 You came from heaven to Mount Sinai
14 You taught them about your holy day of rest.
15 You gave them bread from heaven to satisfy their hunger
16 But they—our own ancestors—acted arrogantly.
17 They refused to listen.
18 even when they made a metal statue of a calf for themselves
19 But because of your endless compassion,
20 You gave them your good Spirit to teach them.
21 You provided for them in the desert for 40 years,
22 You gave kingdoms and nations to the Israelites
23 You made their children as numerous as the stars in the sky.
24 Their children took possession of the land.
25 The Israelites captured fortified cities and a rich land.
26 But they were defiant and rebelled against you.
27 You handed them over to their enemies, who made them suffer.
28 As soon as they felt some relief,
29 You warned them in order to bring them back to your teachings,
30 You were patient with them for many years.
31 But your compassion is endless.
32 And now, our God, you are the great, mighty, and awe-inspiring God.
33 But you were fair about everything that has happened to us.
34 Our kings, leaders, priests, and ancestors didn’t obey your teachings.
35 When they lived in their own kingdom and enjoyed the many good things
36 Look ⌞at us⌟ now. We’re slaves!
37 The many products ⌞from our land⌟ go to the kings you put over us.
38 “We are making a binding agreement ⌞and putting it⌟ in writing because of all this. Our leaders, Levites, and priests are putting their seals on the document.”