Nehemiah 1:4–11

⁴When I heard these things, I sat down and wept.^f For some days I mourned and fasted^g and prayed before the God of heaven. ⁵Then I said:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God,^h who keeps his covenant of loveⁱ with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁶let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear^j the prayer^k your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess^l the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. ⁷We have acted very wickedly^m toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

⁸“Rememberⁿ the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter^o you among the nations, ⁹but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather^p them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’^q

¹⁰“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.^{r 11}Lord, let your ear be attentive^s to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor^t in the presence of this man.”

I was cupbearer^u to the king.