21 Then I ^aproclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might ^bhumble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the ^cright way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.  ‡

22 For ^aI was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, ^b“The hand of our God is upon all those for ^cgood who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are ^dagainst all those who ^eforsake Him.”  ‡

24 And I separated twelve of the leaders of the priests—Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them—

25 and weighed out to them ^athe silver, the gold, and the articles, the offering for the house of our God which the king and his counselors and his princes, and all Israel who were present, had offered.  ‡