Nehemiah 1

he words of Nehemias the son of Helchias. And it came to pass in the month of Casleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in the castle of Susa, 2 that Hanani one of my brethren came, he and some men of Juda; and I asked them concerning the Jews, that remained and were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me: They that have remained, and are left of the captivity there in the province, are in great affliction, and reproach: and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and the gates thereof are burnt with fire. 4 And when I had heard these words, I sat down, and wept, and mourned for many days: and I fasted, and prayed before the face of the God of heaven. 5 And I said: I beseech you, O Lord God of heaven, strong, great, and terrible, who keeps covenant and mercy with those that love you, and keep your commandments: 6 Let your ears be attentive, and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you now, night and day, for the children of Israel your servants: and I confess the sins of the children of Israel, by which they have sinned against you: I and my father's house have sinned. 7 We have been seduced by vanity, and have not kept your commandments, and ceremonies and judgments, which you have commanded your servant Moses. 8 Remember the word that you commanded to Moses your servant, saying: If you shall transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: 9 But if you return to me, and keep my commandments, and do them, though you should be led away to the uttermost parts of the world, I will gather you from thence, and bring you back to the place which I have chosen for my name to dwell there. 10 And these are your servants, and your people: whom you have redeemed by your great strength, and by your mighty hand. 11 I beseech you, O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who desire to fear your name: and direct your servant this day, and give him mercy before this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.