Dual Panel1The words<1697> of Nehemiah<5166> the son<1121> of Hacaliah<2446>. Now it happened<1961> in the month<2320> Chislev<3691>, in the twentieth<6242> year<8141>, while I was in Susa<7800> the capitol<1002>,
2that Hanani<2607>, one<259> of my brothers<251>, and some men<376> from Judah<3063> came<935>; and I asked<7592> them concerning<5921> the Jews<3064> who had escaped<6413> and had survived<7604> the captivity<7628>, and about<5921> Jerusalem<3389>.
3They said<559> to me, "The remnant<7604> there<8033> in the province<4082> who<834> survived<7604> the captivity<7628> are in great<1419> distress<7463> and reproach<2781>, and the wall<2346> of Jerusalem<3389> is broken<6555> down<6555> and its gates<8179> are burned<3341> with fire<784>."
4When I heard<8085> these<428> words<1697>, I sat<3427> down<3427> and wept<1058> and mourned<56> for days<3117>; and I was fasting<6684> and praying<6419> before<6440> the God<430> of heaven<8064>.
5I said<559>, "I beseech<577> You, O LORD<3068> God<430> of heaven<8064>, the great<1419> and awesome<3372> God<410>, who preserves<8104> the covenant<1285> and lovingkindness<2617> for those who love<157> Him and keep<8104> His commandments<4687>,
6let Your ear<241> now<4994> be attentive<7183> and Your eyes<5869> open<6605> to hear<8085> the prayer<8605> of Your servant<5650> which<834> I am praying<6419> before<6440> You now<3117>, day<3119> and night<3915>, on behalf<5921> of the sons<1121> of Israel<3478> Your servants<5650>, confessing<3034> the sins<2403> of the sons<1121> of Israel<3478> which<834> we have sinned<2398> against You; I and my father's<1> house<1004> have sinned<2398>.
7"We have acted<2254> very<2254> corruptly<2254> against You and have not kept<8104> the commandments<4687>, nor<3808> the statutes<2706>, nor<3808> the ordinances<4941> which<834> You commanded<6680> Your servant<5650> Moses<4872>.
8"Remember<2142> the word<1697> which<834> You commanded<6680> Your servant<5650> Moses<4872>, saying<559>, 'If you are unfaithful<4603> I will scatter<6327> you among the peoples<5971>;
9but if you return<7725> to Me and keep<8104> My commandments<4687> and do<6213> them, though<518> those of you who have been scattered<5080> were in the most<7097> remote<7097> part<7097> of the heavens<8064>, I will gather<6908> them from there<8033> and will bring<935> them to the place<4725> where<834><8033> I have chosen<977> to cause My name<8034> to dwell<7931>.'
10"They are Your servants<5650> and Your people<5971> whom<834> You redeemed<6299> by Your great<1419> power<3581> and by Your strong<2389> hand<3027>.
11"O<577> Lord<136>, I beseech<577> You, may Your ear<241> be attentive<7183> to the prayer<8605> of Your servant<5650> and the prayer<8605> of Your servants<5650> who delight<2655> to revere<3372> Your name<8034>, and make<6743> Your servant<5650> successful<6743> today<3117> and grant<5414> him compassion<7356> before<6440> this<2088> man<376>." Now I was the cupbearer<4945> to the king<4428>.