³ but I said to the king, “May the king live forever!^(A) Why should my face not look sad when the city^(B) where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?^(C)”

⁵ and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”