Study Desk

The words of Nehemiah^(a) son of Hacaliah: During the month of Chislev^[a](b) in the twentieth year,^[b](c) when I was in the fortress city of Susa,^(d)

Hanani,^(e) one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant^(f) that had survived the exile.^(g)

They said to me, "The remnant in the province,^(h) who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem's wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned down."⁽ⁱ⁾

When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying^(j) before the God of heaven.^(k)

I said,^(l) Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awe-inspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him^(m) and keep His commands,⁽ⁿ⁾

let Your eyes be open and Your ears be attentive^(o) to hear Your servant's prayer that I now pray to You day and night^(p) for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins^[c] we have committed against You. Both I and my father's house have sinned.^(q)

We have acted corruptly toward You and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances You gave Your servant Moses.^(r)

Please remember what You commanded Your servant Moses: "If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples.^(s)

But if you return to Me and carefully observe My commands, even though your exiles were banished to the ends of the earth,^[d] I will gather them from there and bring them to the place where I chose to have My name dwell."^(t)

They are Your servants and Your people. You redeemed them by Your great power and strong hand.^(u)

Please, Lord, let Your ear be attentive^(v) to the prayer of Your servant and to that of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success today,^(w) and have compassion on him in the presence of this man.^[e](x) At the time, I was the king's cupbearer.^(y)