11 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah . Now it happened in the month Chislev , in the twentieth year , while I was in Susa the [1]capitol , 2 that Hanani , one of my brothers , and [2]some men from Judah came ; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity , and about Jerusalem . 3 They said to me, "The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach , and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire ." 4 When I heard these words , I sat down and wept and mourned for days ; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven .
5 I said , "I beseech You, O Lord God of heaven , the great and awesome God , who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments , 6 let 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 , confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; I and my father's house have sinned . 7 " We have acted very corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments , nor the statutes , nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses . 8 "Remember the word which You commanded Your servant Moses , saying , ' If you are unfaithful I will scatter you among the peoples ; 9 but if you return to Me and keep My commandments and do them, though those of you who have been scattered were in the most remote part of the heavens , I will gather them from there and will bring them to the place where e I have chosen to cause My name to dwell .' 10 " They are Your servants and Your people whom You redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand . 11 "O Lord , I beseech You, may Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant and the prayer of Your servants who delight to [3]revere Your name , and make Your servant successful today and grant him compassion before this man ." Now I was the cupbearer to the king .
