³ They said to me, “The remnant there in the ^(A)province who survived the captivity are in great distress and ^(B)reproach, and ^(C)the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and ^(D)its gates are burned with fire.”

⁴ When I heard these words, ^(E)I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before ^(F)the God of heaven. ⁵ I said, “I beseech You, O Lord God of heaven, ^(G)the great and awesome God, ^(H)who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,