15
And now I will speak out: About all humankind you know best; but I will speak about your people, for whom I am grieved,
16
and about your inheritance, for whom I lament, and about Israel, for whom I am sad, and about the seed of Jacob, for whom I am troubled.
17
Therefore I will pray before you for myself and for them, for I see the failings of us who inhabit the earth;
18
and now also I have heard of the swiftness of the judgment that is to come.
19
Therefore hear my voice and understand my words, and I will speak before you." The beginning of the words of Ezra's prayer, before he was taken up. He said:
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.