Nehemiah 2:1-7

1NowH1961 in the monthH2320 of NisanH5212,1 in the twentiethH6242 yearH8141 of KingH4428 ArtaxerxesH783, when wineH3196 was set before himH6440, I tookH5375 the wineH3196 and gaveH5414 it to the kingH4428. I had neverH3808 beenH1961 sadH7451 in his presenceH6440, 2so the kingH4428 saidH559 to me, “WhyH4069 is your faceH6440 sadH7451, though youH859 are notH369 illH2470? ThisH2088 could only beH369H3588H518 sadnessH7455 of the heartH3820.”

I was overwhelmed with fearH3372H7235H3966 3and repliedH559 to the kingH4428, “May the kingH4428 live foreverH2421H5769! WhyH4069 should I notH3808 be sadH7489H6440 whenH834 the cityH5892 whereH1004 my fathersH1 are buriedH6913 lies in ruinsH2720, and its gatesH8179 have been destroyedH398 by fireH784?”

4“WhatH4100H2088 is yourH859 requestH1245?” repliedH559 the kingH4428H5921.

So I prayedH6419 toH413 the GodH430 of heavenH8064 5and answeredH559 the kingH4428, “IfH518 it pleasesH2896 the kingH4428, and ifH518 your servantH5650 has found favorH3190 in your sightH6440, I ask thatH834 you send meH7971 toH413 JudahH3063, toH413 the cityH5892 where my fathersH1 are buriedH6913, so that I may rebuild itH1129.”

6Then the kingH4428, with the queenH7694 seatedH3427 beside himH681, askedH559 me, “How longH5704H4970 will your journeyH4109 takeH1961, and whenH4970 will you returnH7725?” So it pleasedH3190H6440 the kingH4428 to send meH7971, and I setH5414 a timeH2165.

7I also saidH559 toH4428 him, “IfH518 it pleasesH2896 the kingH4428, may lettersH107 be givenH5414 to me forH5921 the governorsH6346 westH5676 of the EuphratesH5104,2 so thatH834 they will grant me safe passageH5674 untilH5704 I reachH935H413 JudahH3063.