21 Then right there by the river Ahava, I proclaimed a fast to humble ourselves in front of our god to request that he’d smooth the way ahead for us, and for our children, and for all our property, 22 because I was ashamed to request an army and horsemen from the king to help us from possible enemies on the way. Also, you see, we had previously told the king, “Our god does good to all those who honour him, but his might and his anger are against all those who abandon him.” 23 So we fasted and sought wisdom from our god concerning this, and he listened to our requests.