Daniel 9:3-6

9:3 So I turned my attention ¹  to the Lord God ²  to implore him by prayer and requests, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. ³  9:4 I prayed to the LORD my God, confessing in this way:

“O Lord, ⁴  great and awesome God who is faithful to his covenant ⁵  with those who love him and keep his commandments, 9:5 we have sinned! We have done what is wrong and wicked; we have rebelled by turning away from your commandments and standards. 9:6 We have not paid attention to your servants the prophets, who spoke by your authority ⁶  to our kings, our leaders, and our ancestors, ⁷  and to all the inhabitants ⁸  of the land as well.

[9:3]  ¹ tn Heb “face.”

[9:3]  ² tn The Hebrew phrase translated “Lord God” here is אֲדֹנָי הָאֱלֹהִים (’adonay ha’elohim).

[9:3]  ³ sn When lamenting, ancient Israelites would fast, wear sackcloth, and put ashes on their heads to show their sorrow and contrition.

[9:4]  ⁴ tn The Hebrew term translated “Lord” here and in vv. 7, 9, 15, 16, and 19 is אֲדֹנָי (’adonay).

[9:4]  ⁵ tn Heb “who keeps the covenant and the loyal love.” The expression is a hendiadys.

[9:6]  ⁶ tn Heb “in your name.” Another option is to translate, “as your representatives.”

[9:6]  ⁷ tn Heb “our fathers” (also in vv. 8, 16). The Hebrew term translated “father” can refer to more distant relationships such as grandfathers or ancestors.

[9:6]  ⁸ tn Heb “people.”