¹The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah .

Now in the month Chislev , in the twentieth year , as I was in Susa the palace ,

²Hanani , one of my brothers, came , he and certain men out of Judah ; and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped , who were left of the captivity , and concerning Jerusalem .

³They said to me , “The remnant who are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach . The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down , and its gates are burned with fire .”

⁴When I heard these words , I sat down and wept , and mourned several days ; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven ,[#1:4 The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “” (Elohim).]

⁵and said, “I beg you , LORD , the God of heaven , the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments ,[#1:5 When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name.]

⁶let your ear now be attentive and your eyes open , that you may listen to the prayer of your servant which I pray before you at this time , day and night , for the children of Israel your servants , while I confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against you . Yes, I and my father ’s house have sinned .

⁷We have dealt very corruptly against you , and have not kept the commandments , nor the statutes , nor the ordinances , which you commanded your servant Moses .

⁸“Remember , I beg you , the word that you commanded your servant Moses , saying , ‘If you trespass , I will scatter you among the peoples ;

⁹but if you return to me , and keep my commandments and do them , though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heavens , yet I will gather them from there , and will bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell there .’

¹⁰“Now these are your servants and your people , whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand .

¹¹Lord, I beg you , let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant , and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name ; and please prosper your servant today , and grant him mercy in the sight of this man .”[#1:11 The word translated “Lord” (mixed case) is “Adonai.”]

Now I was cup bearer to the king .