1The words of Nehemiah, son of Hacaliah (Hakaliah). In the month Chislev (Kislev), in the twentieth year (of the reign of Artaxerxes Longimanus, which began in 465BC and ended in 425BC), as I was in Shushan, the palace, 2Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men of Judah; and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped captivity, and about Jerusalem. 3And they told me, “Those who survived the captivity and are back in the province are in great affliction and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates destroyed by fire.”

4And when I heard these words, I sat down, wept, and mourned for days, fasting, and praying before the God of heaven, 5And I said, “Please, O LORD God of heaven, our great and awe-inspiring God, Who keeps covenant and mercy for them who love Him and observe His commandments: 6Let Your ear now be attentive, and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant, which I now pray before You, day and night, for the children of Israel, Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have committed against You. Both I and my father's house have sinned. 7We have dealt very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, statutes, or ordinances, which You gave to Your servant, Moses. 8Please remember the word that You gave to Your servant, Moses: ‘If you transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: 9But if you return to Me, and keep and do My commandments, though some were scattered to the uttermost part of the heaven, yet I will gather them from there, and will bring them to the place where I have chosen to set My name.’ 10Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and mighty hand. 11O LORD, let Your ear be attentive now to my prayer, and of those, Your servants, who delight to reverence Your name; and, I pray that You, would give Your servant success this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man, (the king).” For at that time, I was the king's cupbearer.