² in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years about which Yahweh’s word^[a] came to Jeremiah the prophet, for the accomplishing of the desolations of Jerusalem, even seventy years. ³ I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.

⁴ I prayed to Yahweh my God, and made confession, and said,

“Oh, Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments,