1 ¹ THE NARRATIVE OF NEHEMIAH son of Hacaliah.

In the month Kislev in the twentieth year, when I was in Susa the capital city, 1 ² it happened that one of my brothers, Hanani, arrived with some others from Judah; and I asked them about Jerusalem and about the Jews, the families still remaining of those who survived the captivity. 1 ³ They told me that those still remaining in the province who had survived the captivity were facing great trouble and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem was broken down and the gates had been destroyed by fire.

1 ⁴ When I heard this news, I sat down and wept; I mourned for some days, fasting and praying to the God of heaven. 1 ⁵ This was my prayer: 'O LORD God of heaven, O great and terrible God who faithfully keepest covenant with those who love thee and observe thy commandments, 1 ⁶ let thy ear be attentive and thine eyes open, to hear my humble prayer which I make to thee day and night on behalf of thy servants the sons of Israel. I confess the sins which we Israelites have all committed against thee, and of which I and my father's house are also guilty. 1 ⁷ We have wronged thee and have not observed the commandments, statutes, and rules which thou didst enjoin upon thy servant Moses. 1 ⁸ Remember what thou didst impress upon him in these words: "If you are unfaithful, I will disperse you among the nations; 1 ⁹ but if you return to me and observe my commandments and fulfil them, I will gather your children who have been scattered to the ends of the earth and will bring them home to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name." 1 ¹⁰ They are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy great might and thy strong hand. 1 ¹¹ O Lord, let thy ear be attentive to my humble prayer, and to the prayer of thy servants who delight to revere thy name. Grant me good success this day, and put it into this man's heart to show me kindness.'