[1] The history of Nehemiah, the son of Hacaliah. Now it came about, in the
month Chislev, in the twentieth year, when I was in Shushan, the king's
town, [2] That Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from
Judah; and in answer to my request for news of the Jews who had been
prisoners and had got away, and of Jerusalem, [3] They said to me, The
small band of Jews now living there in the land are in great trouble and
shame: the wall of Jerusalem has been broken down, and its doorways burned
with fire. [4] Then, after hearing these words, for some days I gave myself
up to weeping and sorrow, seated on the earth; and taking no food I made
prayer to the God of heaven, [5] And said, O Lord, the God of heaven, the
great God, greatly to be feared, keeping faith and mercy with those who
have love for him and are true to his laws: [6] Let your ear now take note
and let your eyes be open, so that you may give ear to the prayer of your
servant, which I make before you at this time, day and night, for the
children of Israel, your servants, while I put before you the sins of the
children of Israel, which we have done against you: truly, I and my
father's people are sinners. [7] We have done great wrong against you, and
have not kept the orders, the rules, and the decisions, which you gave to
your servant Moses. [8] Keep in mind, O Lord, the order you gave your
servant Moses, saying, If you do wrong I will send you wandering among the
peoples: [9] But if you come back to me and keep my orders and do them,
even if those of you who have been forced out are living in the farthest
parts of heaven, I will get them from there, and take them back to the
place marked out by me for the resting-place of my name. [10] Now these are
your servants and your people, whom you have made yours by your great power
and by your strong hand. [11] O Lord, let your ear take note of the prayer
of your servant, and of the prayers of your servants, who take delight in
worshipping your name: give help, O Lord, to your servant this day, and let
him have mercy in the eyes of this man. (Now I was the king's
wine-servant.)
