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We disobeyed you, we turned our backs on you, and we are guilty of every sin.
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We did not do the things that you commanded us to do. If we had obeyed your laws, we would have prospered,
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but now we deserve the judgment and punishment that you have brought upon us.
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You have handed us over to lawless, hateful, and defiant enemies - to the most wicked king in the world.
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And now all of us who worship you are humiliated; we are too ashamed to open our mouths.
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"Yet for the sake of your own honor, do not break your covenant with us and abandon us forever.
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Do not withhold your mercy from us. Keep your promises to Abraham, whom you loved, to Isaac, your servant, and to Jacob, the father of your holy people Israel.
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You promised to give them as many descendants as the stars in the sky or as the grains of sand along the seashore.
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But now, Lord, we are fewer in number than any other nation; wherever we are, we live in disgrace because of our sins.
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We are left without a king, without any prophets or leaders. There is no longer a Temple where we can go to offer you burnt offerings, sacrifices, gifts, or incense, no place where we can make offerings to you and find your mercy.
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But we come to you with repentant hearts and humble spirits, begging you to accept us just as if we had come with burnt offerings of rams and bulls and thousands of fat lambs.