“I am too ashamed^(A) and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens.^{(B) 7} From the days of our ancestors^(C) until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we and our kings and our priests have been subjected to the sword^(D) and captivity,^(E) to pillage and humiliation^(F) at the hand of foreign kings, as it is today.

⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear^(A) the prayer^(B) your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess^(C) the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.

⁵ we have sinned^(A) and done wrong.^(B) We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away^(C) from your commands and laws.^(D)