1The words of Nehemiaha son of Hacaliah:

News from Jerusalem

During the month of Chislevb in the twentieth year,c when I was in the fortress city of Susa,d 2Hanani,a one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnantb that had survived the exile.c 3They said to me, “The remnant in the province,a who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned.”b

Nehemiah’s Prayer

4When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and prayinga before the God of the heavens.b 5I said,a

Lord, the God of the heavens, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps his gracious covenant with those who love himb and keep his commands,c 6let your eyes be open and your ears be attentivea to hear your servant’s prayer that I now pray to you day and nightb for your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sinsA we have committed against you. Both I and my father’s family have sinned.c 7We have acted corruptly toward you and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances you gave your servant Moses.a 8Please remember what you commanded your servant Moses: “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples.a 9But if you return to me and carefully observe my commands, even though your exiles were banished to the farthest horizon,A I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have my name dwell.”a 10They are your servants and your people. You redeemed them by your great power and strong hand.a 11Please, Lord, let your ear be attentivea to the prayer of your servant and to that of your servants who delight to revere your name. Give your servant success today,b and grant him compassion in the presence of this man.a c

At the time, I was the king’s cupbearer.d