5 It is not for your righteousness+ or for the uprightness of your heart+ that you are going in to take possession of their land; in fact, it is for the wickedness of these nations that Jehovah your God is driving them away from before you,+ and in order to carry out the word that Jehovah swore to your forefathers, Abraham,+ Isaac+ and Jacob.+

18 Incline your ear, O my God, and hear.+ Do open your eyes and see our desolated conditions and the city that has been called by your name;*+ for not according to our righteous acts are we letting our entreaties fall before you,+ but according to your many mercies.+

23 For the wages* sin pays is death,+ but the gift*+ God gives is everlasting life+ by Christ Jesus our Lord.+