Nehemiah 1:2-7 and one of my brothers, Hanani, came with some men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had escaped the captivity and about Jerusalem.

VIN⁽ⁱ⁾ ² and one of my brothers, Hanani, came with some men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had escaped the captivity and about Jerusalem. ³ They replied to me, "The survivors in the province who have survived the captivity are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned in the fire." ⁴ When I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned several days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven, ⁵ and said, "I beg you, LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments: ⁶ Please, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I am praying before you by day and by night for your servants, the Israelites, and confessing the sins of the Israelites that we have sinned against you. I and my father's house have sinned. 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.