First ReadingEzra 9:5-9
From the Book of Ezra
5At the evening offering I rose up from my humiliation,even with my garment and my robe torn;and I fell on my knees,and spread out my hands to the Lord my God;6and I said, “My God,I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you,my God, for our iniquities have increased over our head,and our guiltiness has grown up to the heavens.7Since the days of our fathers we have been exceedingly guilty to this day;and for our iniquities we,our kings, and our priests have been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands,to the sword, to captivity,to plunder, and to confusion of face,as it is this day.8Now for a little moment grace has been shown from the Lord our God,to leave us a remnant to escape,and to give us a stake in his holy place,that our God may lighten our eyes,and revive us a little in our bondage.9For we are bondservants;yet our God has not forsaken us in our bondage,but has extended loving kindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia,to revive us, to set up the house of our God,and to repair its ruins,and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.