1The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, when I was in Susa the citadel,
2that Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and some men from Judah, and I questioned them about the Jews who had escaped, who remained from the captivity, and about Jerusalem.
3And they said to me, “The remnant who remained from the captivity, there in the province, are in great trouble and disgrace; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
4Now it happened, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
5And I said, “I beg you, Yahweh, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps the covenant and loyal love for those who love him and keep his commandments,
6let your ear now be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I am praying before you now, day and night, for the sons of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel that we have sinned against you—both I and my father’s house have sinned.
7We have acted very corruptly against you, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you commanded Moses your servant.
8Remember now the word that you commanded Moses your servant, saying, ‘If you act unfaithfully, I will scatter you among the peoples;
9but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts be at the end of the heavens, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen to make my name dwell there.’
10They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.
11I beg you, Lord, let your ear now be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name; and give success now to your servant today, and grant him mercy before this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.
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