Nehemiah:1

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* The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah . It came to pass in the month of Chislev , in the twentieth year , as I was in Shushan the citadel , * that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah ; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped , who had survived the captivity , and concerning Jerusalem . * And they said to me , "The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach . The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down , and its gates are burned with fire ." * So it was , when I heard these words , that I sat down and wept , and mourned for many days ; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven . * And I said : "I pray , LORD God of heaven , O great and awesome God , You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments , * please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open , that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now , day and night , for the children of Israel Your servants , and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You . Both my father 's house and I have sinned . * We have acted very corruptly against You , and have not kept the commandments , the statutes , nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses . * Remember , I pray , the word that You commanded Your servant Moses , saying , "If you are unfaithful , I will scatter you among the nations ; * but if you return to Me , and keep My commandments and do them , though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens , yet I will gather them from there , and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name .' * Now these are Your servants and Your people , whom You have redeemed by Your great power , and by Your strong hand . * O Lord , I pray , please 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 let Your servant prosper this day , I pray , and grant him mercy in the sight of this man ." For I was the king 's cupbearer .

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