Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;
But if they come to their senses in the land where they've been taken as prisoners, and they turn back to you and pray to you from that foreign land, saying, 'We have sinned, we have done wrong, and we have acted wickedly,'
God is acknowledging that even when his people are exiled because of their sins, if they genuinely repent and pray to him, he will hear them.
📚 Historical Context
This is part of Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple, where he asks God to hear prayers offered toward the temple. He's specifically addressing the scenario of Israel being conquered and taken into exile because of their disobedience to God. This prayer proved prophetic, as Israel would later experience exactly this kind of captivity in Babylon.
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