8“But now, for a brief moment, the LORD our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place Or a foothold in his sanctuary, and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage.
9Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.