Nehemiah:1

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* The history of Nehemiah , the son of Hacaliah . Now it came about , in the month of Chislev , in the twentieth year , when I was in Shushan , the castle , * Hanani , one of my brothers , came with men from Judah . This was in answer to my request for news about the Jews who had been prisoners and escaped from captivity and about Jerusalem . * They said to me : »The small band of Jews now living there in the land is in deep trouble and shame . The wall of Jerusalem has been broken down , and its doorways burned with fire .« * After I heard these words I sat down on the ground and cried for days . I ate no food and offered prayer to the God of heaven . * I said : »O Jehovah , the God of heaven , the great God , greatly to be respected , keeping faith and mercy with those who have love for him and are true to his laws : * »Let your ear now take note and let your eyes be open . Please give ear to the prayer of your servant . At this time , day and night I pray for the children of Israel , your servants . I put before you the sins of the children of Israel that we have done against you : truly , my father ’s people and I are sinners . * »We have done great wrong against you . We have not obeyed the orders , the rules , and the decisions , which you gave to your servant Moses . * »Keep in mind , O Jehovah , the order you gave your servant Moses , saying : ‘If you do wrong I will send you wandering among the peoples : * »If you come back to me and obey my orders , even if you have been forced out and are living in the farthest horizons , I will gather you from there , and bring you to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my name .’ * »These are your servants and your people , whom you have made yours by your great power and by your strong hand . * »O Jehovah , let your ear take note of the prayer of your servant . Of the prayers of all your servants , who take delight in worshipping your name : give help , O Jehovah , to your servant this day , and let him have mercy in the eyes of this man .« Now I was the king 's wine-servant .

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