Nehemiah 01 Nehemiah, hearing the distress of Jerusalem, prays to God

 Nehemiah 01

Nehemiah, hearing the distress of Jerusalem, prays to God

1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hecaliah. Now it came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the stronghold,

2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I inquired of them concerning the Jews that were escaped, and that were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great distress and contempt, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.

4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

5 And I said, Ah, Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God! Who keeps the covenant and the kindness toward those who love you and keep your commandments; 

6 Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you today, day and night, for the children of Israel, your servants, and to confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you; I and my father's house have sinned. 

7 We have acted corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, or the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses. 

8 Remember therefore the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, 'If you transgress, I will scatter you among the peoples.' 

9 If you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, then even though your outcasts are at the ends of the heavens, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place that I have chosen to place my name there.

10 These are still your servants and your people whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.

11 O Lord, please listen carefully to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who desire to fear your name. May your servant prosper today and grant him favor in the sight of this man. At that time I was cupbearer to the king.