The words{H1697} of Nehemiah{H5166} the son{H1121} of Hacaliah.{H2446} Now it came to pass in the month{H2320} Chislev,{H3691} in the twentieth{H6242} year,{H8141} as I was in Shushan{H7800} the palace,{H1002}

that Hanani,{H2607} one{H259} of my brethren,{H251} came,{H935} he and certain men{H582} out of Judah;{H3063} and I asked{H7592} them concerning the Jews{H3064} that had escaped,{H6413} that were left{H7604} of the captivity,{H7628} and concerning Jerusalem.{H3389}

And they said{H559} unto me, The remnant{H7604} that are left{H7604} of the captivity{H7628} there in the province{H4082} are in great{H1419} affliction{H7451} and reproach:{H2781} the wall{H2346} of Jerusalem{H3389} also is broken down,{H6555} and the gates{H8179} thereof are burned{H3341} with fire.{H784}

And it came to pass, when I heard{H8085} these words,{H1697} that I sat down{H3427} and wept,{H1058} and mourned{H56} certain days;{H3117} and I fasted{H6684} and prayed{H6419} before{H6440} the God{H430} of heaven,{H8064}

and said,{H559} I beseech{H577} thee, O Jehovah,{H3068} the God{H430} of heaven,{H8064} the great{H1419} and terrible{H3372} God,{H410} that keepeth{H8104} covenant{H1285} and lovingkindness{H2617} with them that love{H157} him and keep{H8104} his commandments:{H4687}

Let thine ear{H241} now be attentive,{H7183} and thine eyes{H5869} open,{H6605} that thou mayest hearken{H8085} unto the prayer{H8605} of thy servant,{H5650} which I pray{H6419} before{H6440} thee at this time,{H3117} day{H3119} and night,{H3915} for the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} thy servants{H5650} while I confess{H3034} the sins{H2403} of the children{H1121} of Israel,{H3478} which we have sinned{H2398} against thee. Yea, I and my father's{H1} house{H1004} have sinned:{H2398}

we have dealt very{H2254} corruptly{H2254} against thee, and have not kept{H8104} the commandments,{H4687} nor the statutes,{H2706} nor the ordinances,{H4941} which thou commandedst{H6680} thy servant{H5650} Moses.{H4872}

Remember,{H2142} I beseech thee, the word{H1697} that thou commandedst{H6680} thy servant{H5650} Moses,{H4872} saying,{H559} If ye trespass,{H4603} I will scatter you abroad{H6327} among the peoples:{H5971}

but if ye return{H7725} unto me, and keep{H8104} my commandments{H4687} and do{H6213} them, though your outcasts{H5080} were in the uttermost part{H7097} of the heavens,{H8064} yet will I gather{H6908} them from thence, and will bring{H935} them unto the place{H4725} that I have chosen,{H977} to cause my name{H8034} to dwell{H7931} there.

Now these are thy servants{H5650} and thy people,{H5971} whom thou hast redeemed{H6299} by thy great{H1419} power,{H3581} and by thy strong{H2389} hand.{H3027}

O Lord,{H136} I beseech{H577} thee, let now thine ear{H241} be attentive{H7183} to the prayer{H8605} of thy servant,{H5650} and to the prayer{H8605} of thy servants,{H5650} who delight{H2655} to fear{H3372} thy name;{H8034} and prosper,{H6743} I pray thee, thy servant{H5650} this day,{H3117} and grant{H5414} him mercy{H7356} in the sight{H6440} of this man.{H376} Now I was cupbearer{H8248} to the king.{H4428}