Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah's Grief for the Exiles

1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.
Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the tcapitol,2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem.3 They said to me, "The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire."

4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.5 I said, "I beseech You, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments,6 let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; I and my father's house have sinned.7 We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses.8 Remember the word which You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples;9 but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens, I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to cause My name to dwell.'10 They are Your servants and Your people whom You redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand.

11 O Lord, I beseech You, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to revere Your name, and make Your servant successful today and grant him compassion before this man."
Now I was the cupbearer to the king.

Nehemiah 1

A Prayer of Nehemiah

1 s These are the words of Nehemiahs son of Hacaliah:
It so happened that in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year,t I was in Susat the citadel.

2 Hanani, who was one of my relatives,t along with some of the men from Judah, came to me,t and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped and had survived the exile, and about Jerusalem.s

3 They said to me, “The remnant that remains from the exile there in the province are experiencing considerablet adversity and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem lies breached, and its gates have been burned down!”t
4 When I heard these things I sat down abruptly,t crying and mourning for several days. I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.5 Then I said, “Please, O Lord God of heaven, great and awesome God, who keeps his loving covenantt with those who love him and obeyt his commandments,6 may your ear be attentive and your eyes be open to hear the prayer of your servant that I am praying to you today throughout both day and night on behalf of your servants the Israelites. I am confessing the sins of the Israelites that we have committedt against you – both I myself and my familyt have sinned.7 We have behaved corruptly against you, not obeying the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments that you commanded your servant Moses.8 Please recall the word you commanded your servant Moses: ‘If you act unfaithfully, I will scatter you among the nations.t9 But if you repentt and obeyt my commandments and do them, then even if your dispersed people are in the most remote location,t I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen for my name to reside.’10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your mighty strength and by your powerful hand.

11 Please,t O Lord, listen attentivelyt to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who take pleasure in showing respectt to your name. Grant your servant success today and show compassion to met in the presence of this man.”
Nowt I was cupbearer for the king.