The words{H1697} of Nehemiah{H5166} the son{H1121} of Hachaliah{H2446}. And it came to pass in the month{H2320} Chisleu{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}{(H8799)}, he and certain men{H582} of Judah{H3063}; and I asked{H7592}{(H8799)} them concerning the Jews{H3064} that had escaped{H6413}, which were left{H7604}{(H8738)} of the captivity{H7628}, and concerning Jerusalem{H3389}.

And they said{H559}{(H8799)} unto me, The remnant{H7604}{(H8737)} that are left{H7604}{(H8738)} 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}{(H8794)}, and the gates{H8179} thereof are burned{H3341}{(H8738)} with fire{H784}.

And it came to pass, when I heard{H8085}{(H8800)} these words{H1697}, that I sat down{H3427}{(H8804)} and wept{H1058}{(H8799)}, and mourned{H56}{(H8691)} certain days{H3117}, and fasted{H6684}{(H8802)}, and prayed{H6419}{(H8693)} before{H6440} the God{H430} of heaven{H8064},

And said{H559}{(H8799)}, I beseech{H577} thee, O LORD{H3068} God{H430} of heaven{H8064}, the great{H1419} and terrible{H3372}{(H8737)} God{H410}, that keepeth{H8104}{(H8802)} covenant{H1285} and mercy{H2617} for them that love{H157}{(H8802)} him and observe{H8104}{(H8802)} his commandments{H4687}:

Let thine ear{H241} now be attentive{H7183}, and thine eyes{H5869} open{H6605}{(H8803)}, that thou mayest hear{H8085}{(H8800)} the prayer{H8605} of thy servant{H5650}, which I pray{H6419}{(H8693)} before{H6440} thee now{H3117}, day{H3119} and night{H3915}, for the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} thy servants{H5650}, and confess{H3034}{(H8693)} the sins{H2403} of the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}, which we have sinned{H2398}{(H8804)} against thee: both I and my father's{H1} house{H1004} have sinned{H2398}{(H8804)}.

We have dealt very{H2254}{(H8800)} corruptly{H2254}{(H8804)} against thee, and have not kept{H8104}{(H8804)} the commandments{H4687}, nor the statutes{H2706}, nor the judgments{H4941}, which thou commandedst{H6680}{(H8765)} thy servant{H5650} Moses{H4872}.

Remember{H2142}{(H8798)}, I beseech thee, the word{H1697} that thou commandedst{H6680}{(H8765)} thy servant{H5650} Moses{H4872}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, If ye transgress{H4603}{(H8799)}, I will scatter you abroad{H6327}{(H8686)} among the nations{H5971}:

But if ye turn{H7725}{(H8804)} unto me, and keep{H8104}{(H8804)} my commandments{H4687}, and do{H6213}{(H8804)} them; though there were of you cast out{H5080}{(H8737)} unto the uttermost part{H7097} of the heaven{H8064}, yet will I gather{H6908}{(H8762)} them from thence, and will bring{H935}{(H8689)} them unto the place{H4725} that I have chosen{H977}{(H8804)} to set{H7931}{(H8763)} my name{H8034} there.

Now these are thy servants{H5650} and thy people{H5971}, whom thou hast redeemed{H6299}{(H8804)} 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 desire{H2655} to fear{H3372}{(H8800)} thy name{H8034}: and prosper{H6743}{(H8685)}, I pray thee, thy servant{H5650} this day{H3117}, and grant{H5414}{(H8798)} him mercy{H7356} in the sight{H6440} of this man{H376}. For I was the king's{H4428} cupbearer{H8248}{(H8688)}.