Dual PanelNehemiah's mission
1THE narrative of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, when I was in Susa the capital city, it happened
2that one of my brothers, Hanani, arrived with some other Judaeans. I asked them about Jerusalem and about the Jews, the families still remaining of those who survived the captivity.
3They told me that those who had survived the captivity and still lived in the province were facing dire trouble and derision; the wall of Jerusalem was broken down and its gates had been destroyed by fire.
4When I heard this news, I sat and wept, mourning for several days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
5This was my prayer: “LORD God of heaven, great and terrible God faithfully keeping covenant with those who love him and observe his commandments,
6let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to my humble prayer, which now day and night I make in your presence on behalf of your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins which we Israelites have committed against you, and of which my father's house and I are also guilty.
7We have acted very wrongly towards you and have not observed the commandments, statutes, and rules which you enjoined on your servant Moses.
8“Remember what you impressed on him when you said: ‘If you are unfaithful, I shall scatter you among the nations;
9but if you return to me and observe my commandments and fulfil them, I shall gather those of you who have been scattered to the far corners of the world and bring you to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my name.’
10“They are your servants and people, whom you have redeemed with your great might and your strong hand.
11Lord, let your ear be attentive to my humble prayer, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to revere your name. Grant me success this day, and put it into this man's heart to show me kindness.” I was then cupbearer to the king.