1The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. It came about in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, that I was in Susa the palace.2Hanani, one of my brothers, came with men from Judah, and I asked them about the Jews who had survived and remained from the captivity and about Jerusalem.3They said to me, "The remnant who had remained from the captivity there in the province is in great distress and reproach; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates have been burned with fire."4When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.5I said, "Please, O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and kindness toward those who love him and keep his commandments."6Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I pray before you day and night concerning your servants the sons of Israel, while confessing the sins of the sons of Israel that we have committed against you; both I and my father's house have sinned.7We have acted corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments that you commanded your servant Moses.8Remember, please, the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, "If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples."9If you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, even if your outcasts are at the farthest reaches of heaven, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place that I have chosen for my name to dwell.10They are your servants and your people whom you redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.11Please, O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name; prosper your servant today and grant him favor before this man. I was the cupbearer to the king.