(These are) the words of Nehemiah - son of Hacaliah : vvv In the month of Chislev , in the twentieth year , while I was in the citadel of Susa ,
Hanani , one of my brothers , ... arrived with men from Judah. So I questioned them about the remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile , and also about Jerusalem.
And they told “ The remnant who survived ... the exile (are) there in the province , in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem (is) broken down , and its gates (are burned) with fire. ”
- When I heard - these words , I sat down and wept. I mourned for days , ... fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Then I said : “ O LORD , God of heaven , the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments ,
let Your eyes be ... open and Your ears attentive to hear ... the prayer that I , Your servant , now pray before You day and night for Your servants , the Israelites .... I confess ... the sins that we Israelites ... have committed Both I and my father’s house have sinned.
We have behaved corruptly ... and have not kept - the commandments , - statutes , - and ordinances that You gave - Your servant Moses.
Remember , I pray , - the word that You commanded - Your servant Moses when You said , ‘ If you are unfaithful , I will scatter you among the nations ,
but (if) you return to Me and keep and practice - My commandments , then even if your exiles have been {banished} to the farthest horizon , I will gather them from there and bring them to the place - I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name. ’
They are Your servants and Your people. You redeemed them by Your great power and mighty hand.
O Lord , - may Your ear be ... attentive to (my) prayer ... and to the prayers of Your servants who delight to revere - Your name. Give Your servant success this day , I pray , and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. ” ( At that time I was the cupbearer to the king.)