Nehemiah 1:2-7 Hanani, one of my brothers, came with men from Judah. This was in answer to my request for news about the Jews who had been prisoners and escaped from captivity and about Jerusalem.

NSB⁽ⁱ⁾ ² Hanani, one of my brothers, came with men from Judah. This was in answer to my request for news about the Jews who had been prisoners and escaped from captivity and about Jerusalem. ³ They said to me: »The small band of Jews now living there in the land is in deep trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem has been broken down, and its doorways burned with fire.« ⁴ After I heard these words I sat down on the ground and cried for days. I ate no food and offered prayer to the God of heaven. ⁵ I said: »O Jehovah (YHWH), the God of heaven, the great God, greatly to be respected, keeping faith and mercy with those who have love for him and are true to his laws: ⁶ »Let your ear now take note and let your eyes be open. Please give ear to the prayer of your servant. At this time, day and night I pray for the children of Israel, your servants. I put before you the sins of the children of Israel that we have done against you: truly, my father’s people and I are sinners. ⁷ »We have done great wrong against you. We have not obeyed the orders, the rules, and the decisions, which you gave to your servant Moses.