Nehemiah 1

1The words of Nehemiah^a son of Hacaliah:

NEWS FROM JERUSALEM

During the month of Chislev^b in the twentieth year,^c when I was in the fortress city of Susa,^{d 2}Hanani,^e one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant^f that had survived the exile.^{g 3}They said to me, “The remnant in the province,^h who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned.”ⁱ

NEHEMIAH’S PRAYER

⁴When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying^j before the God of the heavens.^{k 5}I said,^l

Lord, the God of the heavens, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love him^m and keep his commands,^{n 6}let your eyes be open and your ears be attentive^o to hear your servant’s prayer that I now pray to you day and night^p for your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins^A we have committed against you. Both I and my father’s family have sinned.^{q 7}We have acted corruptly toward you and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances you gave your servant Moses.^{r 8}Please remember what you commanded your servant Moses: “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples.^{s 9}But if you return to me and carefully observe my commands, even though your exiles were banished to the farthest horizon,^B I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have my name dwell.”^{t 10}They are your servants and your people. You redeemed them by your great power and strong hand.^{u 11}Please, Lord, let your ear be attentive^v to the prayer of your servant and to that of your servants who delight to revere your name. Give your servant success today,^w and grant him compassion in the presence of this man.^Cx

At the time, I was the king’s cupbearer.^y