Nehemiah 1

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

² Hanani, one of my brothers, came with some men from Judah. I asked them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and about Jerusalem.

³ They said to me, "Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire."

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

⁵ I said: "O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of faithful love with those who love him and keep his commands,

⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for the people of Israel, your servants. I confess the sins we Israelites have committed against you. Both I and my father's house have sinned.

⁷ We have acted very corruptly toward you. We have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances you gave 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 and keep my commands and do them, then even if your exiles are at the ends of the heavens, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my name.'

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

¹¹ O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today and grant him mercy in the presence of this man." For I was cupbearer to the king.