Dual Panel1These are the words <01697> of Nehemiah <05166> son <01121> of Hacaliah <02446>: It so happened <01961> that in the month <02320> of Kislev <03691>, in the twentieth <06242> year <08141>, I <0589> was <01961> in Susa <07800> the citadel <01002>.
2Hanani <02607>, who was one <0259> of my relatives <0251>, along with some of the men <0376> from Judah <03063>, came <0935> to me <01931>, and I asked <07592> them about <05921> the Jews <03064> who <0834> had escaped <06413> and had survived <07604> the exile <07628>, and about <05921> Jerusalem <03389>.
3They said <0559> to me, “The remnant <07604> that <0834> remains <07604> from <04480> the exile <07628> there <08033> in the province <04082> are experiencing considerable <01419> adversity <07451> and reproach <02781>. The wall <02346> of Jerusalem <03389> lies breached <06555>, and its gates <08179> have been burned down <03341>!”
4When <01961> I heard <08085> these <0428> things <01697> I sat down <03427> abruptly, crying <01058> and mourning <056> for several days <03117>. I continued <01961> fasting <06684> and praying <06419> before <06440> the God <0430> of heaven <08064>.
5Then I said <0559>, “Please <0577>, O LORD <03069> God <0430> of heaven <08064>, great <01419> and awesome <03372> God <0410>, who keeps <08104> his loving <02617> covenant <01285> with those who love <0157> him and obey <08104> his commandments <04687>,
6may <04994> your ear <0241> be attentive <07183> and your eyes <05869> be open <06605> to hear <08085> the prayer <08605> of your servant <05650> that <0834> I <0595> am praying <06419> to you today <03117> throughout both day <03119> and night <03915> on <05921> behalf of your servants <05650> the Israelites <03478> <01121>. I am confessing <03034> the sins <02403> of the Israelites <03478> <01121> that <0834> we have committed <02398> against you– both I myself <0589> and my family <01> <01004> have sinned <02398>.
7We have behaved corruptly <02254> <02254> against you, not <03808> obeying <08104> the commandments <04687>, the statutes <02706>, and the judgments <04941> that <0834> you commanded <06680> your servant <05650> Moses <04872>.
8Please <04994> recall <02142> the word <01697> you commanded <06680> your servant <05650> Moses <04872>: ‘If you <0859> act unfaithfully <04603>, I <0589> will scatter <06327> you among the nations <05971>.
9But if you repent <07725> and obey <08104> my commandments <04687> and do <06213> them, then even if <0518> your dispersed <05080> people are in the most remote <07097> location <08064>, I will gather <06908> them from there and bring <0935> them to <0413> the place <04725> I have chosen <0977> for my name <08034> to reside <07931>.’
10They <01992> are your servants <05650> and your people <05971>, whom <0834> you have redeemed <06299> by your mighty <01419> strength <03581> and by your powerful <02389> hand <03027>.
11Please <0577>, O <04994> Lord <0136>, listen <0241> attentively <07183> to <0413> the prayer <08605> of your servant <05650> and to <0413> the prayer <08605> of your servants <05650> who take pleasure <02655> in showing respect <03372> to your name <08034>. Grant <04994> your servant <05650> success <06743> today <03117> and show <05414> compassion <07356> to me in the presence <06440> of this <02088> man <0376>.” Now I <0589> was <01961> cupbearer <04945> for the king <04428>.