1The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa,2Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.3They said to me, ‘Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.’4When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.5Then I said: ‘Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,6let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.7We have acted very wickedly towards you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.8‘Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, “If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,9but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, 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 redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.11Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favour in the presence of this man.’ I was cupbearer to the king.
Nehemiah 1
English Standard Version
Report from Jerusalem
1The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, (Ne 2:1; Ne 10:1; Es 1:2; Es 1:5; Es 2:3; Es 2:5; Zec 7:1)2that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. (Ne 7:2)3And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” (2Ki 25:10; Ne 2:3; Ne 2:13; Ne 2:17)
Nehemiah’s Prayer
4As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. (Ezr 9:3; Ne 2:4)5And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, (De 7:21; Ne 9:32; Da 9:4)6let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. (1Ki 8:29; 2Ch 6:40; Ezr 10:1; Ps 106:6; Da 9:18; Da 9:20)7We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. (De 28:15; Da 9:5)8Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, (Le 26:33; De 4:25; De 28:64)9but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ (Le 26:39; De 4:29; De 12:5; De 30:2; De 30:4)10They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. (De 9:29)11O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king. (Ne 1:6; Ne 2:1)