Nehemiah 1

¹ The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, I was in Susa, the citadel.

² Hanani, one of my brothers, came with some men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had escaped—the survivors of the captivity—and about Jerusalem.

³ They said to me, “The survivors who remain from the captivity are there in the province, in great distress and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

⁴ When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

⁵ I said, “Ah, LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps the covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,

⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you today, day and night, for the Israelites, your servants. I confess the sins of the Israelites that we have committed against you. I and my father’s family have sinned.

⁷ We have acted very wickedly against you. We have not kept the commandments, decrees, and ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses.

⁸ Remember the word you commanded your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples.

⁹ But if you return to me, keep my commandments, and do them, even if your exiles are at the farthest edge of the heavens, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place I have chosen for my name to dwell there.’

¹⁰ They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great power and your mighty hand.

¹¹ Ah, Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who desire to fear your name. Give your servant success today, and show him compassion before this man.” I was the king’s cupbearer.

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