Nehemiah 1

1The words of Nehemiah ^ason of Hacaliah:

News from Jerusalem

During the month of Chislev ^bcin the twentieth year, ^dewhen I was in the fortress city of Susa, ^f2Hanani, ^gone of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant ^hthat had survived the exile. ⁱ³They said to me, “The remnant in the province, ^jwho survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned down.” ^k

Nehemiah’s Prayer

⁴When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying ^lbefore the God of heaven. ^m5I said, ⁿ

Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him ^oand keep His commands, ^p6let Your eyes be open and Your ears be attentive ^qto hear Your servant’s prayer that I now pray to You day and night ^rfor Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins ^swe have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned. ^t7We have acted corruptly toward You and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances You gave Your servant Moses. ^u8Please remember what You commanded Your servant Moses: “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples. ^v9But if you return to Me and carefully observe My commands, even though your exiles were banished to the ends of the earth, ^wI will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have My name dwell.” ^x10They are Your servants and Your people. You redeemed them by Your great power and strong hand. ^y11Please, Lord, let Your ear be attentive ^zto the prayer of Your servant and to that of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success today, ^aand have compassion on him in the presence of this man. ^bc

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