36. “But see, we are slaves today, slaves in the land you gave our ancestors so they could eat its fruit and the other good things it produces.
37. Because of our sins, its abundant harvest goes to the kings you have placed over us. They rule over our bodies and our cattle as they please. We are in great distress.
38. “In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it.”