Definition: And now, O Lord our God, that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day; we have sinned, we have done wickedly.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Daniel 9:15. It’s a really important part of understanding God’s perspective on humanity’s behavior. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that we (as a people) have messed up badly and are acknowledging our wrongdoing. It’s a moment of serious remorse and regret. Let’s look at the parts: “And now, O Lord our God…” – This establishes a situation where we're addressing God directly. We’re not just talking about an event; we’re acknowledging that we are responsible for it. “…that hast brought thy people forth out of the land of Egypt…” - This refers to a time when the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt, and they were led out into the world. It's a significant historical event – it marked a turning point in their history. “and hast gotten thee renown, as at this day;” – This is where the key part comes in. God is saying that we have become famous, powerful, and admired for our wickedness. It’s like when you do something wrong, people notice it, and they look up to you with admiration or fear. “We have sinned, we have done wickedly.” – This is the core of the verse. It means that we have committed acts of sin, wrongdoing, or disobedience that are harmful to God and to others. "Wickedly" suggests something that’s deliberately wrong and causes harm. What does this mean in a broader sense? This verse points to a time when the Israelites were considered to be on a path toward being truly bad – a path of sin and disobedience. It's a reminder that even seemingly good things can lead to negative consequences if we don’t follow God’s will. Important Context: The Old Testament describes a period in Israel’s history where they were plagued by evil, and God was angry with them. This verse is a moment when God is acknowledging that we are part of that pattern and need to turn away from our bad ways. It's about recognizing the gravity of our actions. In short: Daniel 9:15 describes a time when humanity has made mistakes, and God is expressing his disappointment and calling us to repentance (turning back to him). --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Give an example of what "wickedness" might look like from a biblical perspective?