17 Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, ^aand ^bfor the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine on² Your sanctuary, ^cwhich is desolate.  ‡

18 ^aO my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes ^band see our desolations, and the city ^cwhich is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.  ‡

20 Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God,

21 yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man ^aGabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning,¹ being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.  ‡