24. So their descendants went in and possessed the land:You subdued the Canaanites who inhabited the land before themand handed their kings and the surrounding peoples over to them, to do as they pleased with them.
25. They captured fortified cities and fertile landand took possession of well-supplied houses,cisterns cut out of rock, vineyards,olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance. They ate, were filled,became prosperous, and delighted in Your great goodness.
26. But they were disobedient and rebelled against You.They flung Your law behind their backs and killed Your prophets who warned themin order to turn them back to You.They committed terrible blasphemies.
27. So You handed them over to their enemies,who oppressed them.In their time of distress, they cried out to You,and You heard from heaven.In Your abundant compassionYou gave them deliverers, who rescued themfrom the power of their enemies.
28. But as soon as they had relief,they again did what was evil in Your sight.So You abandoned them to the power of their enemies,who dominated them.When they cried out to You again,You heard from heaven and rescued themmany times in Your compassion.
29. You warned them to turn back to Your law,but they acted arrogantlyand would not obey Your commands.They sinned against Your ordinances,which a person will live by if he does them. They stubbornly resisted, stiffened their necks, and would not obey.
30. You were patient with them for many years,and Your Spirit warned them through Your prophets, but they would not listen.Therefore, You handed them over to the surrounding peoples.
31. However, in Your abundant compassion,You did not destroy them or abandon them, for You are a gracious and compassionate God.
32. So now, our God — the great, mighty,and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant —do not view lightly all the hardships that have afflicted us,our kings and leaders,our priests and prophets,our ancestors and all Your people,from the days of the Assyrian kings until today.
33. You are righteous concerning all that has come on us,because You have acted faithfully,while we have acted wickedly.
34. Our kings, leaders, priests, and ancestorsdid not obey Your lawor listen to Your commandsand warnings You gave them.
35. When they were in their kingdom,with Your abundant goodness that You gave them,and in the spacious and fertile land You set before them, they would not serve You or turn from their wicked ways.
36. Here we are today,slaves in the land You gave our ancestorsso that they could enjoy its fruit and its goodness.Here we are — slaves in it!
37. Its abundant harvest goes to the kingsYou have set over us,because of our sins.They rule over our bodiesand our livestock as they please. We are in great distress.
38. In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement in writing on a sealed document containing the names of our leaders, Levites, and priests.