29. You warned them in order to bring them back to your teachings,but they became arrogant and would not obey your commandments.They sinned by not following your regulations.If anyone follows them, he will find life in them.But they gave you the cold shoulder,became impossible to deal with, and wouldn’t listen.
30. You were patient with them for many years.You warned them by your Spirit through your prophets.However, they wouldn’t listen.So you handed them over to the people in the surrounding nations.
31. But your compassion is endless.You didn’t destroy them or abandon them.You are a merciful and compassionate God.
32. And now, our God, you are the great, mighty, and awe-inspiring God.You faithfully keep your promises.Do not consider all the hardshipsthat we have been going through as unimportant.The hardships have come to our kings, leaders, priests, prophets,ancestors, and all your peoplefrom the time of the kings of Assyria until now.
33. But you were fair about everything that has happened to us.You have been faithful, but we have been wicked.
34. Our kings, leaders, priests, and ancestors didn’t obey your teachings.They didn’t pay attention to your commandments or the warningsthat you gave them.
35. When they lived in their own kingdom and enjoyed the many good thingsthat you gave them in a vast, fertile landwhich was set in front of them, they didn’t serve youor turn away from their wicked lives.
36. Look ⌊at us⌋ now. We’re slaves!In the land you gave our ancestors,they could eat its produce and ⌊enjoy⌋ its good things.But now we’re slaves!
37. The many products ⌊from our land⌋ go to the kings you put over us.This is because of our sins.These kings have control over our bodies,and they do as they please with our livestock.We are in agony.
38. “We are making a binding agreement ⌊and putting it⌋ in writing because of all this. Our leaders, Levites, and priests are putting their seals on the document.”