Nehemiah 1

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, ^a a v1 Kislev was the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar, falling in late November to December.

² Hanani, one of my brothers, came with some men from Judah, and I asked them about the Jews who had survived—those who had escaped exile—and about Jerusalem. ³ They said to me, "The survivors who escaped the exile are there in the province in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned down."

⁴ When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. For days I mourned, fasting and praying before our Father in heaven. ⁵ And I said: I beg you, my Father in heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of loyal love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁶ let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant prays before you now, day and night, for your servants the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites have committed against you—yes, my father's house and I have sinned. ⁷ We have acted corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments that you commanded your servant Moses.

⁸ Please remember the word you commanded your servant Moses: "If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; ⁹ but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, then even if your outcasts are at the farthest horizon of the heavens, from there I will gather them 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 I beg you, my Sovereign Father, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name. Give your servant success today, and grant him mercy before this man. At that time I was cupbearer to the king.