² in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the books according to the word of the Lord to the prophet Jeremiah that the number of years for the desolation of Jerusalem would be seventy.^{(A) 3} So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.^(B)

⁴ I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:

Ah, Lord—the great and awe-inspiring God^(C) who keeps his gracious covenant^(D) with those who love him^(E) and keep his commands^(F)—