35For even while they were in their kingdom,
with the abundant goodness
that You had given them,
and in the spacious and fertile land
that You had set before them,
they would not serve You
or turn from their wicked ways.
36So here we are today as slaves
in the land You gave our fathers to enjoy its fruit and goodness —
here we are as slaves!
37Its abundant harvest goes to the kings
You have set over us because of our sins.
And they rule over our bodies and our livestock as they please.
We are in great distress.
— Nehemiah 9:35-37