“And now, Lord our God, you delivered your people out of the land of Egypt with mighty power. You have won fame and gained renown for yourself even to this day. But we acknowledge our sin and wicked ways. Lord, you have always demonstrated your faithfulness to Israel, so now please turn your fierce anger away from Jerusalem. It belongs to you and sits on the hill where sacrifice is made. All the other nations who live around us despise your city and your people because of the sins of our ancestors and because of our sins also. And now, our God, I am your servant and I beg you, please—answer my prayers. Make your face to shine upon your ruined temple so that everyone will know that you are Lord. Turn your heart to hear my prayer, O my God. Listen to my cry and please look carefully and see our despair and the devastated city, which bears your name. We bring our requests to you and ask for your mercy, not because we deserve it but because of your extravagant, infinite love. Lord, hear us and forgive us. Lord, please be attentive and act for us! Do not delay in answering us for your own sake, my God, and for your city and your people who bear your name.”
While I was absorbed in prayer, confessing my sins and the sins of my people Israel and presenting my request before YAHWEH, my God, on behalf of Jerusalem, his holy hill—Gabriel, whom I had seen in a vision previously, came flying down from heaven. He touched me at the time of the evening sacrifice. He gave me understanding and said to me, “Daniel, I have come from heaven to impart insight and understanding concerning this prophecy. As soon as you began to pray, God gave you an answer, for you are a precious treasure to God! Now, carefully consider the message and understand the revelation of the vision.
“God has decreed for your people and for the holy city a period of seventy times seven for these reasons: to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to cancel guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy One.
“You must know and understand this: From the issuing of God’s decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Anointed Ruler comes, there will be seven ‘sevens,’ and sixty-two ‘sevens.’ Jerusalem will be rebuilt with broad streets and a trench, but during times of great distress.
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