Nehemiah The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month of Chislev, of the twentieth year, that I was in Shushan the palace.

CAB⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month of Chislev, of the twentieth year, that I was in Shushan the palace. ² And Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and some men of Judah; and I asked them concerning those that had escaped, who had been left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. ³ And they said to me, The remnant, even those that are left of the captivity, are there in the land, in great distress and reproach; and the walls of Jerusalem are thrown down, and its gates are burned with fire. ⁴ And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for several days, and continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. ⁵ And I said, I pray, O Lord God of heaven, the mighty One, the great and terrible, keeping Your covenant and mercy to them that love Him, and to those that keep His commandments. ⁶ Let now Your ear be attentive, and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant, which I pray before You at this time, this day both day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and make confession for the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against You — both I and the house of my father have sinned. ⁷ We have altogether broken our covenant with You, and we have not kept the commandments, and the ordinances, and the judgments, which You commanded Your servant Moses. ⁸ Remember, I pray, the word in which You charged Your servant Moses, saying, If you break your covenant with Me, I will disperse you among the nations. ⁹ But if you turn again to Me, and keep My commandments, and do them; if you should be scattered to the uttermost parts of heaven, yet will I gather them from there, and I will bring them into the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name. ¹⁰ Now they are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your mighty hand. ¹¹ Turn not away, I pray, O Lord, but let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants, who desire to fear Your name, and prosper Your servant this day, and cause him to find mercy in the sight of this man (For I was the king's cupbearer).