Ezra 8:21-23: “Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of Him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him; but His power and His wrath is against all them that forsake Him. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and He was entreated of us.” {1T 282.1}

(282) Ezra 8,21-23: »Så lod jeg dér ved floden Ahava udråbe en faste til ydmygelse for vor Guds åsyn for hos ham at udvirke en lykkelig rejse for os og vore familier og ejendele; thi jeg undså mig ved at bede kongen om krigsfolk og ryttere til at hjælpe os undervejs mod fjenden, eftersom vi havde sagt til kongen: »Vor Guds hånd er over alle, der søger ham, men hans vælde og vrede kommer over alle dem, der forlader ham.« Så fastede vi og bad til vor Gud derom og han bønhørte os."