1
I was so embarrassed and ashamed that I sighed and began to cry. Then, as I choked back my tears, I prayed:
2
"You are righteous, O Lord! You are merciful in all you do, faithful in all your ways. You are the judge of this world.
3
I beg you, treat me with kindness. Do not punish me for my sins, not even for sins of which I am unaware. My ancestors rebelled and disobeyed your commands, but do not punish me for their sins. You let our people be plundered, taken captive and killed. You made an example of our people, an object of contempt and disgrace in all the nations where you scattered us.
5
You have often judged my ancestors for their sins and punished me for mine. We were disloyal and rejected your commands, so our punishment has always been just.
6
"Now treat me as you please. Take my life away and free me from this world; let my body return to the earth. I would be better off dead. I am tormented by insults I don't deserve, and weighed down with despair. Lord, give the command - bring all my troubles to an end, take me to my eternal rest. Don't reject my prayer. I would rather die than live in misery and face such cruel insults."
7
That same day in the city of Ecbatana in Media, it happened that Sarah, the daughter of a man named Raguel, was insulted by one of her father's servant women.