“Why did I not ²  die ³  at birth, ⁴  and why did I not expire as ⁵  I came out of the womb?

That is why I came out to meet you, to look for you, ¹  and I found you!

Why did I ever come forth from my mother’s womb? All I experience is trouble and grief, and I spend my days in shame. ¹ 

He spoke with me, instructing me as follows: ¹  “Daniel, I have now come to impart understanding to you.

He said, “Naked ¹  I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there. ²  The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. ³  May the name of the Lord ⁴  be blessed!”

The angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Look, I came out to oppose you because what you are doing ¹  is perverse before me. ² 

If I go out into the countryside, I see those who have been killed in battle. If I go into the city, I see those who are sick because of starvation. ¹  For both prophet and priest go about their own business in the land without having any real understanding.’” ²