Nehemiah 1

1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, I was in Susa the citadel, [a] 2 and Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and men of Judah. And I asked them about those who had been saved, who were left over from the captivity, and about Jerusalem.

3 And they said to me, “Those who remain, who were left from the captivity, are there in the province, in great trouble and in reproach; and the walls of Jerusalem are torn down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” [d] 4 And when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I went on fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

5 And I said, “I beg you, Lord, God of heaven — the strong, the great and the fearful, who keeps the covenant and the mercy for those who love him and for those who keep his commands: [e] 6 let your ear now be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant, which I am praying before you today, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants. And I speak out openly over the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Both I and my father’s house have sinned. [f] 7 We have utterly broken with you, and we have not kept the commands and the decrees and the judgments that you commanded Moses your servant. [g]

8 Remember, I beg you, the word that you commanded Moses your servant, saying, ‘If you break faith, I myself will scatter you among the peoples; 9 and if you turn back to me and keep my commands and do them — even if your scattering reaches from the end of heaven, from there I will gather them, and I will bring them into the place that I chose to make my name dwell there.’ [h] 10 And they are your servants and your people, whom you ransomed with your great power and with your mighty hand.

11 I beg you, Lord — let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who want to fear your name. And give your servant success today, and grant him compassion before this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king. [i]