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words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the fortress city of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant who had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The walls around Jerusalem are broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. For some days I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 I prayed:
“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and faithful love with those who love Him and obey His commands, 6 let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, to hear the prayer of Your servant. For I pray before You now, day and night, for Your servants, the Israelites.
“Both I and My father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted corruptly against You, and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances You gave Your servant Moses.
8 “Remember the promise You gave Your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; 9 but if you return to Me and keep My commands and practice them, even if some of your exiles were scattered to the ends of the earth, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name’.”
10 “They are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand. 11 O Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who delight in revering Your name. Give Your servant success this day and grant him compassion in the presence of this man.”
For I was the king’s cupbearer.