Nehemiah 1:1-7

1The words of 1Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.

Now it happened in 2the month Chislev, 3in the twentieth year, while I was in 4Susa the 5capitol, 2that 6Hanani, one of my brothers, and 7some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem. 3They said to me, “The remnant there in the 8province who survived the captivity are in great distress and 9reproach, and 10the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and 11its gates are burned with fire.”

4When I heard these words, 12I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before 13the God of heaven. 5I said, “I beseech You, O Lord God of heaven, 14the great and awesome God, 15who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, 616let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, 17confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; 18I and my father’s house have sinned. 719We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances 20which You commanded Your servant Moses.