¹⁵ I gathered them at the river^[a] that flows to Ahava,^(A) and we camped there for three days. I searched among the people and priests, but found no Levites^(B) there.

Preparing to Return

²¹ I proclaimed a fast^(A) by the Ahava River,^[a] so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us, our dependents, and all our possessions.

Arrival in Jerusalem

³¹ We set out from the Ahava River on the twelfth day of the first month to go to Jerusalem. We were strengthened by our God,^[a](A) and he kept us from the grasp of the enemy and from ambush along the way.^(B)