Daniel 9:1-4

Contemporary English Version

Daniel Prays for the People

9 ^1-2^(A) Daniel wrote:

Some years later, Darius the Mede,^[a] who was the son of Xerxes,^[b] had become king of Babylonia. And during his first year as king, I found out from studying the writings of the prophets that the Lord had said to Jeremiah, “Jerusalem will lie in ruins for 70 years.”^[c] ^3-4Then, to show my sorrow, I went without eating and dressed in sackcloth^[d] and sat in ashes. I confessed my sins and earnestly prayed to the Lord my God:

Our Lord, you are a great and fearsome God, and you faithfully keep your agreement with those who love and obey you.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

9.1,2 Darius the Mede: See 5.31.
9.1,2 Xerxes: Hebrew “Ahasuerus.”
9.1,2 70 years: See Jeremiah 25.11-13; 29.10.
9.3,4 sackcloth: A rough, dark-colored cloth made from goat or camel hair and used to make grain sacks. It was worn in times of trouble or sorrow.