King Artaxerxes sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem

Nehemiah's prayer

1I am Nehemiah son of Hacaliah, and in this book I tell what I have done.

During the month of Chislev1.1 Chislev: The ninth month of the Hebrew calendar, from about mid-November to mid-December. in the twentieth year that Artaxerxes1.1 Artaxerxes: Probably Artaxerxes I, who ruled Persia 465-425 BC. ruled Persia, I was in his fortress city of Susa,1.1 Susa: Capital of Elam Province, the winter home of Persian kings. 2when my brother Hanani came with some men from Judah. So I asked them about the Jews who had escaped1.2 escaped: Or “returned”. from being captives in Babylonia. I also asked them about the city of Jerusalem.

3They told me, “Those captives who have come back are having all kinds of troubles. They are terribly disgraced, Jerusalem's walls are broken down, and its gates have been burnt.”

4When I heard this, I sat down and cried. Then for several days, I mourned; I went without eating to show my sorrow, and I prayed:

5LORD God of heaven, you are great and fearsome. And you faithfully keep your promises to everyone who loves you and obeys your commands. 6I am your servant, so please have mercy on me and answer the prayer that I make day and night for these people of Israel who serve you. I, my family, and the rest of your people have sinned 7by choosing to disobey you and the laws and teachings you gave to your servant Moses.

8Please remember the promise you made to Moses. You told him that if we were unfaithful, you would scatter us among foreign nations.1.8: Lv 26.33. 9But you also said that no matter how far away we were, we could turn to you and start obeying your laws. Then you would bring us back to the place where you have chosen to be worshipped.1.9: Dt 30.1-5.

10Our LORD, I am praying for your servants—those you rescued by your great strength and mighty power. 11Please answer my prayer and the prayer of your other servants who gladly honour your name. When I serve the king his wine today, make him pleased with me and let him do what I ask.