Nehemiah 9:35-37

The Voice

³⁵     Even when they had everything—
        when they ruled in their own land without worry according to Your great generosity,
    When they relaxed into the spacious and fertile land
        You set before them—
    Even then they refused to serve You
        or turn away from their wicked ways.
³⁶     And we are once again slaves in the bountiful land
        You gave to our ancestors for our pleasure and enjoyment—
        we are slaves in our own land!
³⁷     We have sown sin, and the labor we provide on this land feeds the kings You have placed over us.
        Our bodies and our beasts do not belong to us,
    But to them, and they do with us what they want.
        Our distress is great.