1 The words1697 of Nehemiah5166 the son1121 of Hachaliah.2446 And it came1961 to pass in the month2320 Chisleu,3691 in the twentieth6242 year,8141 as I was in Shushan7800 the palace,1002

2 That Hanani,2607 one259 of my brothers,251 came,935 he and certain men582 of Judah;3063 and I asked7592 them concerning5921 the Jews3064 that had escaped,6413 which834 were left7604 of the captivity,7628 and concerning5921 Jerusalem.3389

3 And they said559 to me, The remnant7604 that are left7604 of the captivity7628 there8033 in the province4082 are in great1419 affliction7451 and reproach:2781 the wall2346 of Jerusalem3389 also is broken6555 down, and the gates8179 thereof are burned3341 with fire.784

4 And it came1961 to pass, when I heard8085 these428 words,1697 that I sat3427 down and wept,1058 and mourned56 certain days,3117 and fasted,6684 and prayed6419 before6440 the God430 of heaven,8064

5 And said,559 I beseech577 you, O LORD3068 God430 of heaven,8064 the great1419 and terrible3372 God,410 that keeps8104 covenant1285 and mercy2617 for them that love157 him and observe8104 his commandments:4687

6 Let your ear241 now4994 be attentive,7183 and your eyes5869 open,6605 that you may hear8085 the prayer8605 of your servant,5650 which834 I pray6419 before6440 you now,3117 day3119 and night,3915 for the children1121 of Israel3478 your servants,5650 and confess3034 the sins2403 of the children1121 of Israel,3478 which834 we have sinned2398 against you: both I and my father's1 house1004 have sinned.2398

7 We have dealt very corruptly2254 against you, and have not kept8104 the commandments,4687 nor the statutes,2706 nor the judgments,4941 which834 you commanded6680 your servant5650 Moses.4872

8 Remember,2142 I beseech4994 you, the word1697 that you commanded6680 your servant5650 Moses,4872 saying,559 If you transgress,4603 I will scatter6327 you abroad6327 among the nations:5971

9 But if you turn7725 to me, and keep8104 my commandments,4687 and do6213 them; though518 there were of you cast5080 out to the uttermost7097 part of the heaven,8064 yet will I gather6908 them from there,8033 and will bring935 them to the place4725 that I have chosen970 to set7931 my name8034 there.8033

10 Now these1992 are your servants5650 and your people,5971 whom834 you have redeemed6299 by your great1419 power,3581 and by your strong2389 hand.3027

11 O LORD,136 I beseech577 you, let now4994 your ear241 be attentive7183 to the prayer8605 of your servant,5650 and to the prayer8605 of your servants,5650 who desire2655 to fear3372 your name:8034 and prosper,6743 I pray4994 you, your servant5650 this day,3117 and grant5414 him mercy7356 in the sight6440 of this2088 man.376 For I was the king's4428 cupbearer.4945