As [it is] written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.
Ver. 13. All this evil is come upon us.] But unless God set in and sanctify, his hammers (afflictions) do but beat upon cold iron. Jer 2:30
Yet made we not our prayer.] Little or no right prayer was made by the captives all those seventy years (and yet they had their set yearly fasts, Zec 7:1-5), because they failed therein both quoad fontem et quoad finem. See Trapp on " Zec 7:5 "
That we might turn from our iniquities.] This they had no mind to, therefore they lost those prayers they made; they fasted to themselves and not to God (Zechariah 7:5. See on Joh 3:10).
And understand thy truth.] Those that turn from their iniquities shall know more of God's truth. The pure in heart shall see God. Mat 5:8