Nehemiah 1:4–10
4 When I heard these words, aI sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before bthe God of heaven.
5 I said, “I beseech You, O Lord God of heaven, athe great and awesome God, bwho preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,
6 alet Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, bconfessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; cI and my father’s house have sinned.
7 “aWe have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances bwhich You commanded Your servant Moses.
8 “Remember the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘aIf you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples;
9 abut if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I bwill gather them from there and will bring them cto the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.’
10 “aThey are Your servants and Your people whom You redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand.